Celtic stumble into Champions League purgatory as £40m jackpot kiboshed for paltry UEFA paydayThe Hoops are set to exit the Europa League this week as they trail Stuttgart 4-1 on aggregateView 2 Images (Image: SNS Group)Celtic have been projected to plunge into the Europa Conference League next season amid a lacklustre campaign at Parkhead. The top two in Scotland this season will have the chance Champions League football. UEFA revealed that Celtic made an eye-watering £40million from last season's Champions League heroics. ‌Scotland has had two Champions League spots for the last six seasons based on the UEFA coefficient rankings over a five-year rolling period. The champions for 2026/27 will enter Europe's elite competition in the second qualifying round, with the runners-up and third-place side going into the Conference League second qualifying round.

Source: Express February 25, 2026 12:53 UTC