New Champions League Format Will Suit Celtic

Charlie Mulgrew: New Format Will Help Celtic

Celtic can benefit from the new Champions League format, according to Charlie Mulgrew.

The former Celtic defender believes the changes to the competition, which will see the number of teams in the group stage increase from 32 to 36, will give the Scottish champions a better chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Mulgrew told the Daily Record: "I think the new format will suit Celtic because it gives them more opportunities to qualify for the knockout stages. In the old format, they would have had to finish in the top two of their group to qualify, but now they will only need to finish in the top four."

The new format will also see the introduction of a play-off round for teams that finish third in their groups. This will give Celtic another chance to qualify for the knockout stages even if they don't finish in the top four of their group.

Mulgrew believes that Celtic's experience in European competition will stand them in good stead in the new format.

"Celtic have a good record in Europe and they are used to playing against top teams," he said. "I think they will be able to compete with the best teams in the new format and I think they have a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stages."

Celtic will be hoping to make a positive start to their Champions League campaign when they face Real Madrid in their opening group game on September 6.

The Scottish champions will be looking to cause an upset against the European champions and Mulgrew believes they have the quality to do so.

"Celtic have a good team and they are capable of beating anyone on their day," he said. "I think they will give Real Madrid a good game and I wouldn't be surprised if they got a result."

Celtic will be aiming to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2013. Mulgrew believes that the new format will give them a better chance of achieving that goal.