Celtic learn Champions League play-off seeding fate
Rijeka were victorious against Slaven Belupo on the final day, taking them onto 65 which is level Dinamo Zagreb with the teams also tied on goal difference. However, because Croatia uses head-to-head and not goal difference to decide a title winner, they come out on top.
The Hoops faced the prospect of eight teams with a better coefficient than them making it to the play-off round. Celts needed four of them to drop out of contention to ensure they were seeded and before tonight that happened to Olympiacos, Shakhtar Donetsk, and RB Salzburg. Bodo/Glimt are definitely in the draw.
That meant Celtic needed one of Red Star Belgrade, Dinamo Zagreb, FC Copenhagen and Ferencvaros to fall away.
Therefore, Dinamo not making it has worked in their favour and ensures, in theory, an easier path to the Champions League league phase and the riches that come with it.
Read more: Celtic-bound Kieran Tierney scores on Arsenal farewell as he signs off in style
Celtic 'hold talks' with transfer target as they look at alternative options
It is the first time since 2017 Dinamo have lost out on the Croatian top flight and Rijeka were the champions then too.
Rijeka being confirmed tonight is a result of a quirk in Croatian football. Goal difference is used to separate any teams joint on tops all the way through to game day 35. But after round 36, H2H comes into play.
A 4-0 win over Dinamo in February went a long way to ensuring they came out on top, the other results being two draws and a 1-0 defeat.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Reece James hoping to make it a family affair on the England scene this summer
The Chelsea defender wants to pin down his place in Thomas Tuchel's side in the upcoming games against Andorra and Senegal while his sister Lauren has overcome injury to be named in the Lionesses squad for Euro 2025 in July. James is delighted for his younger sister and knows the siblings are making their parents proud. Reece James is hoping to nail his position down in Thomas Tuchel's side (Bradley Collyer/PA) 'I'm delighted for her,' the right-back said. 'She obviously got injured with England at the back end of the season, and I'm happy she got selected to represent England going into another Euros. 'I've spoken to her briefly yesterday, I know she's focused on training and trying to get her body right for the tournament. 'The family are very much happy. Both of us representing our country, they're proud.' James has some competition if he wants to make the right-back position his own for next summer's World Cup, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker also in contention. The 25-year-old has had an excellent campaign for Chelsea, leading them to Europa Conference League glory and Champions League qualification, with the chance of more silverware to come with the start of the Club World Cup later this month. He believes he is going in the 'right direction' and is not fazed by competition for places. 'I had a difficult two or three seasons, always being injured and coming back and breaking down again, and it was tough,' he admitted. 'It takes a lot out of you when you have so many setbacks. 'This season, I feel like I've come on leaps and bounds, playing on a consistent basis, getting selected for England again. I'm feeling strong, and for sure, I'm moving in the right direction. 'It's something I'm used to, playing or competing with world-class players. 'They're two phenomenal players in my position. 'And yes, of course, it's going to be tough. But we all have different capabilities and different strengths, just whichever one the manager wants to play.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Kasey McAteer scores as Republic of Ireland and Senegal play out draw in Dublin
The Irish delivered a performance full of industry in their first-ever encounter with the Senegalese at the Aviva Stadium. Leicester's McAteer and Ipswich's Jack Taylor made their first starts for Ireland with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson looking at his options ahead of the beginning of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September. Senegal, ranked 19th by FIFA, some 41 places higher than the Republic, named an experimental side with only two starters remaining from their recent World Cup qualifying win over Togo. The west African side started brightly, controlling possession in the early stages and keeping the pressure on Ireland with two corners. However, Ireland grew in stature throughout the first half and opened the scoring through McAteer in the 21st minute when Senegal failed to clear a corner. Ryan Manning crossed and Nathan Collins headed it on to McAteer. His initial header was wonderfully saved by Yehvann Diouf, but the forward kept his composure to control the rebound and fire it home. The Irish stayed on the front foot for the rest of the half, showing good energy as they moved the ball quickly between defence and attack, seeming to rattle the Senegalese, who were defending a 20-match unbeaten run. Ireland's Player of the Match against Senegal is our goalscorer – Kasey McAteer! 🇮🇪 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025 Antoine Mendy had the visitors' best chance of the half, but he screwed his shot from the edge of the box high and wide. Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, recently signed by Brentford from Liverpool, had virtually nothing to do before the break. The second half started in similar positive fashion for Ireland and Southampton's Will Smallbone should have doubled their lead but shot straight at the keeper. Ryan Manning attempted to fire in the rebound but it was brilliantly blocked by Mendy. With the game opening up, Senegal almost equalised moments later when Kelleher got the faintest of touches onto Krepin Diatta's header which crashed against the crossbar. After the hour mark, both sides made a series of changes, with Senegal introducing promising 21-year-old Lamine Camara, who has already played in the Champions League for Monaco, and Crystal Palace's FA Cup winner Ismaila Sarr. Camara almost made an immediate impact when his shot was deflected onto a post before being scrambled away by Kelleher. The threat from Senegal grew as the game wore on. However Ismail Jakob's ambitious effort to score from outside the box sailed high over the bar. The Irish invited pressure by defending deeper late in the second half. McAteer, who had run tirelessly throughout, was replaced in the 80th minute as was Smallbone as the Republic turned towards fresh legs. However, Senegal's pressure told when substitute Sarr poked home in the 82nd minute shortly after Kelleher had saved with his feet. Senegal had a free-kick on the edge of the box deep in injury time as tempers flared between the two teams, but Camara failed to get it over the defending wall. The match did not have the feel of a friendly as both Ireland and Senegal went for the win, but ultimately both will be satisfied with the draw.
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Kasey McAteer scores as Republic of Ireland and Senegal play out draw in Dublin
Kasey McAteer scored his first international goal for the Republic of Ireland as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Senegal in Dublin. The Irish delivered a performance full of industry in their first-ever encounter with the Senegalese at the Aviva Stadium. Leicester's McAteer and Ipswich's Jack Taylor made their first starts for Ireland with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson looking at his options ahead of the beginning of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September. Senegal, ranked 19th by FIFA, some 41 places higher than the Republic, named an experimental side with only two starters remaining from their recent World Cup qualifying win over Togo. The west African side started brightly, controlling possession in the early stages and keeping the pressure on Ireland with two corners. However, Ireland grew in stature throughout the first half and opened the scoring through McAteer in the 21st minute when Senegal failed to clear a corner. Ryan Manning crossed and Nathan Collins headed it on to McAteer. His initial header was wonderfully saved by Yehvann Diouf, but the forward kept his composure to control the rebound and fire it home. The Irish stayed on the front foot for the rest of the half, showing good energy as they moved the ball quickly between defence and attack, seeming to rattle the Senegalese, who were defending a 20-match unbeaten run. Ireland's Player of the Match against Senegal is our goalscorer – Kasey McAteer! 🇮🇪 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025 Antoine Mendy had the visitors' best chance of the half, but he screwed his shot from the edge of the box high and wide. Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, recently signed by Brentford from Liverpool, had virtually nothing to do before the break. The second half started in similar positive fashion for Ireland and Southampton's Will Smallbone should have doubled their lead but shot straight at the keeper. Ryan Manning attempted to fire in the rebound but it was brilliantly blocked by Mendy. With the game opening up, Senegal almost equalised moments later when Kelleher got the faintest of touches onto Krepin Diatta's header which crashed against the crossbar. After the hour mark, both sides made a series of changes, with Senegal introducing promising 21-year-old Lamine Camara, who has already played in the Champions League for Monaco, and Crystal Palace's FA Cup winner Ismaila Sarr. Camara almost made an immediate impact when his shot was deflected onto a post before being scrambled away by Kelleher. The threat from Senegal grew as the game wore on. However Ismail Jakob's ambitious effort to score from outside the box sailed high over the bar. The Irish invited pressure by defending deeper late in the second half. McAteer, who had run tirelessly throughout, was replaced in the 80th minute as was Smallbone as the Republic turned towards fresh legs. However, Senegal's pressure told when substitute Sarr poked home in the 82nd minute shortly after Kelleher had saved with his feet. Senegal had a free-kick on the edge of the box deep in injury time as tempers flared between the two teams, but Camara failed to get it over the defending wall. The match did not have the feel of a friendly as both Ireland and Senegal went for the win, but ultimately both will be satisfied with the draw.
