Dorus de Vries, Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembele and Josip Simunovic were all part of Celtic’s matchday squad the last time Scottish Premiership winners graced the Champions League stage, a 1-0 home defeat to Anderlecht in December 2017.
Four-and-a-half years later, the green-and-white army are returning to Europe’s greatest battlefield.
Celtic secured their first league title of the exhilarating Ange Postecoglou era with a 1-1 draw at Dundee United on Wednesday night, a result that must have felt like a birthday and Christmas rolled into one for the travelling support at Tannadice.
Because, not only have Celtic re-claimed the bragging rights from Old Firm rivals Rangers, they have also earned automatic qualification to the Champions League group-stages.
Suddenly, Celtic have cash spilling out their pockets and more pulling power than a souped-up Land Rover.
Here are five players Celtic can now sign with Champions League qualification secured.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – Tottenham Hotspur
Let’s start with an obvious one. Described as arguably the best player in the whole of Scotland by Celtic legend Chris Sutton, Carter-Vickers has made a huge impact on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
Then again, the USA international still feels more a sticking plaster than a permanent solution to a Celtic defence that was crying out for surgery.
His short-term deal runs out this summer. And, while Celtic have an option-to-buy clause in his contract, a rumoured transfer fee of £10 million put Carter-Vickers’ long-term stay at Parkhead in doubt.
Fortunately, the Hoops are in line for a £30 million windfall after reserving a seat at Europe’s top table. The prospect of Carter-Vickers becoming the club’s new record signing no longer feels quite so fanciful.
Antoine Semenyo – Bristol City
Back in February, Semenyo’s agent admitted there was truth in reports suggesting Celtic were keeping a keen eye on one of the EFL’s breakthrough stars.
“I had a conversation with (Celtic chief scout Craig) Strachan, who rang up to ask little bits of info on the player,” Tony Finnigan, Semenyo’s representative, explained.
“If it’s something they’re going to do in the summer window I’m not sure. But it’s nice to know that his talents are going as far as Scotland. (Celtic are) one of great institutions in world football.”
Bristol City reportedly demanded an eye-watering £20 million when Nottingham Forest came calling in January, however, although that fee may be less an accurate reflection of Semenyo’s market value and more a canny attempt to ward off his suitors with half of the season remaining.
Nonetheless, the powerhouse striker won’t come cheap. If Celtic had finished second behind Rangers for another season, Semenyo would be little more than a Parkhead pipe dream. Instead, he now feels like a vivid possibility.
Christopher Scott – Bayern Munich
As far as Champions League regulars go, Bayern Munich might as well have a lifetime membership to Europe’s most elite society. But if wantaway whizzkid Christopher Scott felt that Celtic would represent too much of a backwards step, at least in comparison to the perennial Bundesliga title-holders, then Celtic’s presence in the pot for 2022/23 should quell those fears somewhat.
According to the Record, Celtic can secure Scott’s signature for just £250,000, with his Bayern contract expiring.
Zinedine Ferhat – Nimes
Like Scott, Ferhad has turned down the chance to extend his contract. The Algerian international playmaker will be a free-agent in a matter of weeks and, despite Nimes’ relegation to the French second tier, he still has his fair share of admirers.
Montpellier are interested, as are a number of Ligue 1 clubs. But if Ferhat wants to play Champions League football for the first time in his career – and opportunities like this don’t come around too often for a late-blooming 29-year-old – then he’ll surely be tempted by the prospect of joining a Celtic side who, according to FootMercato, remain big fans of the talented attacking midfielder.
Ferhat produced six goals and 10 assists for a struggling side in France’s top flight in 2020/21.
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Filipe Jota – Benfica
Last but most certainly not least. Perhaps Celtic’s most influential signing since Postecoglou succeeded Neil Lennon – and that’s saying something given the impact made by Josip Juranovic, Joe Hart, Kyogo Furuhashi and co – Jota’s mesmerising skill and handy habit of creating something out of nothing could help ensure the Hoops are not merely making up the numbers while rubbing shoulders with Europe’s best and brightest.
Despite months of speculation, Celtic still haven’t completed a £6.5 million deal for the Benfica loanee. Champions League football at Parkhead, however, may be the factor that finally drags this long-awaited deal over the line.
Especially with Benfica, third in the Portuguese top-flight, consigned yet again to the dreaded play-offs. A hurdle they failed to clear less than 12 months ago.
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