Celtic's path to the league phase of next season's Champions League has been projected.

Last term's title win was the last that catapulted the Hoops straight into the big time, as they successfully negotiated the revamped format and booked their spot in the playoff round. A 2-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich means they'll need to produce one of their greatest-ever modern-day results and stage a turnaround in the Allianz Arena to continue their journey.

With a 13-point cushion to Rangers at the top of the Premiership table, it will take a monumental collapse to deny Brendan Rodgers' side a fourth successive crown. However, due to Scotland's drop in the UEFA coefficient rankings, our champions no longer go straight in with the top dogs. Instead, it's a return to the once dreaded qualifiers, although at least Celtic will enter at the final playoff round, rather than have to negotiate several stages as in previous years.

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With leagues across Europe entering the decisive months, potential champions are emerging, with some in a similar position to Celtic, possessing commanding leads and looking nailed on to finish top of the pile and book their playoff spot along with their winners' medals. The good news is Celtic are likely to be seeded, with FC Copenhagen, Bodo/Glimt, Crvena Zvezda and Ferencvaros joining them, assuming they all remain at the summit for the remainder of the season.

It's the non seeds that Celtic need to be concerned with. Football Rankings has looked at the leagues whose eventual champions are expected to reach the playoff round to project what the draw could look like for the Parkhead club when the time comes.

And there could be a quickfire reunion with Slovan Bratislava, which will have Hoops fans rubbing their hands. Celtic made mincemeat of the Slovak champs in this year's Champions League, battering them 5-1 at Parkhead. They sit six points clear of MSK Zilina in the Slovak top flight after 19 games.

Basel have a bit more work to do if they are to join them in the pot. It's tight at the top in Switzerland, with five points separating the top five, with Basel's 40-point haul so far just one better than Luzern and Lugano behind them.

Celtic have faced Qarabag before, and it's looking like they'll be in the mix. They sit nine points clear at the top of the Azeri top flight. It's a similar story in Bulgaria, with Ludogrets' lead in double digits. Sturm Graz are the pace setter sin Austria, but only enjoy a three point cushion over Austria Vienna.

Projected 2025/26 Champions League Playoff round

Seeded teams

FC Copenhagen (DEN)

Bodo/Glimt (NOR)

Crvena Zvezda (SRB)

Ferencvaros (HUN)

Celtic (SCO)

Unseeded teams

Slovan Bratislava (SVK)

Basel (SUI)

Qarabag (AZE)

Ludogrets Razgrad (BUL)

Sturm Graz (AUT)