Celtic are seeded for Monday's Champions League draw in Nyon, and the playoff picture is already becoming clearer. Kairat Almaty are still a possible rematch after knocking Celtic out on penalties last season, while three clubs are already certain to be in the draw: Viking, Lask Linz and AEK Athens.
Celtic's position in the draw
The seeding gives Celtic a place in the more controlled side of the draw, but it does not remove the danger. Kairat are still there as a live option, which is awkward for a club that knows exactly how damaging that tie can be over two legs and penalties.
The wider context is straightforward enough. Celtic finished first in the 2025 Premiership, collected 82 points from 38 league matches and ended with a +32 goal difference. They go into the draw on a five-match winning run, so the current issue is not form, it is who comes out of the bowl in Nyon.
The opponents already known
A few of the possible names are already on the board, and that helps narrow the conversation. Viking, Lask Linz and AEK Athens are confirmed in the draw, but the exact route for Celtic is still open.
Kairat remain the one that stands out for obvious reasons. Celtic were knocked out by them on penalties in last season's qualifying campaign, so the rematch option brings more baggage than a routine playoff pairing. The alternative opponents are not final yet, which is why Monday matters more than any guesswork around the bracket.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
