CELTIC have received a major boost in their quest to qualify for the Champions League next season.
That’s because the Hoops are now confirmed to be seeded for the play-off round.
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Celtic will be among the seeds after Rijeka secured a stunning title triumph in Croatia.
Rijeka won the league for the first time in eight years on Sunday – pipping Dinamo Zagreb by the narrowest of margins.
Their 2-0 win over Slaven Belupo saw them tied on points AND goal difference with Dinamo – but they won the title because of their better head-to-head record against Dinamo.
Had Dinamo taken the Croat flag they would have edged ahead of Celtic among the seeded sides in the play-off round because of their far superior Uefa coefficient ranking.
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But Rijeka’s is far lower, meaning Brendan Rodgers’ side will now be seeded.
The Hoops will be in the seeded section alongside Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.
FC Copenhagen, Ferencvaros of Hungary and Red Star Belgrade will also be seeded if they progress through previous qualifying rounds.
On the unseeded side of the draw, Basel and Sturm Graz are the only two teams currently locked in.
They will be joined by six teams progressing from the previous round.
Should Celtic take on Swiss champions Basel, they’ll be reunited with Parkhead flop Albian Ajeti.
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He struck 10 goals in 30 appearances this season and has just signed a new deal with the club.
A clash with Sturm Graz could see the Hoops face Max Johnston.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, Slovan Bratislava and Qarabag are among the potential opponents looking to progress out of the previous qualifying rounds.
The play-off round draw is on August 4, with the ties on August 19/20 and 26/27.
