Celtic’s European journey this autumn has been a tale of resilience, financial realities, and the ever-present hunger for more. Just days after a frustrating stalemate in the Scottish Premiership, the Hoops find themselves at the heart of continental action, with both on-field performances and off-field dynamics sparking headlines across Glasgow and beyond.
On September 24, 2025, Celtic kicked off their UEFA Europa League campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Red Star Belgrade. While the scoreboard might suggest a balanced contest, the mood in the Celtic camp was tinged with disappointment. Many fans and pundits alike felt it was two points dropped rather than one gained. Still, there’s no denying that a point on the road in Europe isn’t to be sniffed at, especially with the campaign just getting underway. The result provides a foundation—however modest—for Brendan Rodgers’ men to build upon as the group stage unfolds.
Yet, beneath the surface, the numbers tell a tougher story. UEFA’s Europa League prize pot, though substantial for many clubs, pales in comparison to the riches of the Champions League. Celtic’s draw in Belgrade earned the club £130,000—a tidy sum, but a mere fraction of what’s on offer in Europe’s top-tier competition. For context, a Europa League win fetches £389,000, but that’s still just a fifth of what a Champions League group stage victory brings. Under the new league-phase Champions League format, a draw alone is worth £646,000, while a win soars to a staggering £1.8 million. The payout from Belgrade, then, is only about 20% of its Champions League equivalent.
This financial disparity is more than just a talking point—it’s a stark reminder of why qualifying for the Champions League remains the holy grail for Celtic. Every night under the bright lights of Europe’s premier competition brings transformative sums, fueling everything from marquee signings to improved infrastructure. Europa League success, while valuable in its own right, simply can’t bridge that gap. The £130,000 banked in Serbia keeps the campaign alive but doesn’t move the needle in the same way.
Despite the monetary gulf, there’s no time for regret. Celtic’s Europa League adventure is still in its infancy, and the next challenge looms large. Their upcoming fixture sees them return to the cauldron of Celtic Park to face SC Braga—a side widely regarded as a sterner test than Red Star. The Portuguese outfit brings pedigree and ambition, and the home crowd will be crucial in lifting the Hoops. But there’s a twist: the Celtic faithful are set to make their voices—or lack thereof—heard in a unique way.
The Celtic Fans Collective, a prominent supporters’ group, has called for a 29-minute silence during the Braga clash. This symbolic act marks the number of days since an open letter from fan organizations demanded answers from the club’s leadership. It’s not the first time the fans have used silence as a form of protest; just last Saturday, a 12-minute hush greeted the team at home against Hibernian. That match ended in a goalless draw, but not for lack of trying. Brendan Rodgers’ side peppered the Hibernian goal with 24 attempts—six of them on target—and struck the woodwork twice through Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor, ever the steady hand in midfield, was quick to praise his team’s attacking intent. "If we play like that on Thursday night then I'm pretty sure we'll win the game," he declared, looking ahead to the Braga encounter. McGregor’s optimism is grounded in the team’s recent performances. "We've been looking for rhythm and searching for that rhythm. I think that was probably as good as it's been in that football sense. We created a lot of chances." He added, "That was probably as slick as we've been, right the way through the pitch, creating massive amounts of really good chances. On that type of performance, then the goals will come, that will start to drip in our favour."
But what about the impact of the fans’ protest? McGregor addressed the issue with characteristic calm. "To be honest, when the game starts the players don't really notice too much. You're thinking about the game and where you should be and all these things. Obviously after that you hear a little bit and you think, right, now the atmosphere is there. The job of the team is to try and get the crowd going as quickly as possible. So if we start the game well then hopefully the whole thing will come to life again. It's now on the team to produce performances that make everyone happy. So that doesn't change."
The Europa League campaign is not without its quirks. Looking further ahead, Celtic’s group stage calendar features a marquee home matchup against Italian giants AS Roma. In a surprising twist, Roma will arrive in Glasgow without any away fans in attendance. The Italian club faces a UEFA punishment that bans them from accepting tickets for their remaining three away matches in the competition. This development, reported by the Daily Record and echoed in Italian media, could give Celtic a significant psychological edge on the night. The absence of traveling support means Celtic Park will be an even more intimidating fortress, with the home faithful expected to fill the void—at least after the planned silence.
Of course, the Glasgow rivalry will also play out on the continental stage, as Rangers are set to face Roma away in their own Europa League group fixture. While Celtic and Rangers take different paths, both are keenly aware of the stakes—financial, competitive, and emotional—that European football brings.
For now, though, the focus remains on the immediate task at hand. Brendan Rodgers and his squad know that a strong showing against Braga could set the tone for the rest of their group campaign. The disappointment of Belgrade lingers, but it’s tempered by the knowledge that European football is a marathon, not a sprint. The Hoops have shown glimpses of their attacking potential, and with the right blend of tactical discipline and home support, they’ll fancy their chances to get back on track.
As Thursday night approaches, all eyes will be on Celtic Park—silent at first, perhaps, but ready to roar. The journey continues, and for Celtic, every match is another chance to prove they belong among Europe’s elite, both on the pitch and in the boardroom. The stakes are high, the margins fine, and the drama guaranteed. Let’s see if the Hoops can turn potential into points and keep their European dream alive.
