How Celtic can qualify for the Champions League last 16 without play-offs

Celtic moved a major step forward to reaching the Champions League play-offs with a famous win over RB Leipzig.

The Hoops dazzled under the lights at Parkhead last night as a stunning brace by Nicolas Kuhn and goal from Reo Hatate put the second-best team in Germany to the sword. Arguably the finest European performance in Celtic's modern era, Brendan Rodgers' men are now firmly on course to at least secure their place in the top 24 having picked up seven points from a possible 12.

The new league phase format means that finishing in the top eight guarantees immediate qualification for the last 16, while teams who finish between ninth and 24th will battle it out in the new play-off round for a place in the prestigious knockout stage.

READ MORE: Nicolas Kuhn not complete Celtic package yet as Brendan Rodgers salutes another star

READ MORE: Nicolas Kuhn elevates Celtic to elite Champions League level with devastating double over RB Leipzig

Having now reached the halfway point of Europe's elite competition, Celtic now only require three more points from their remaining four games to effectively secure their place in the play-offs. According to the stats gurus at Opta, 10 points will give teams a 99 per cent chance of reaching the play-offs.

A victory at home to Club Brugge on matchday five would be enough to tick off that impressive milestone with another three fixtures still to go. The Glasgow giants also face Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia before hosting Young Boys at Parkhead and rounding off their league campaign at Aston Villa.

If Celts fancy their chances of skipping the play-offs, they know that 16 points is the magic number, as Opta give teams a 95 per cent chance of reaching the top eight. Three more wins may be a tall order, but Celtic fans can dare to dream.