Sport Nation 2Celtic FC has finalized its squad for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League group stage, marking another step in the club’s European ambitions. As the Bhoys prepare for their third consecutive appearance in Europe’s premier club competition, they face a challenging set of fixtures that will test their mettle both at home and abroad. The team has been drawn into a tough group alongside Slovan Bratislava, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, and Young Boys for their home matches, with daunting away games scheduled against Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb, and Aston Villa.
Under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers, Celtic aims to improve on last season’s performance, where they managed to secure only four points in the group stage. With a mix of new signings and experienced players, Rodgers hopes his team can make a stronger impact this time around. The campaign kicks off on September 18th with a home match against Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense European adventure.
The UEFA website has now published Celtic’s official squad for the Champions League league phase, listing the players by position as they gear up to face some of Europe’s elite clubs.
Goalkeepers
- Kasper Schmeichel
- Viljami Sinisalo
- Scott Bain
Defenders
- Alistair Johnston
- Greg Taylor
- Auston Trusty
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Alex Valle
- Anthony Ralston
- Stephen Welsh
- Liam Scales
- Adam Montgomery
- Maik Nawrocki
Midfielders
- Luis Palma
- Nicolas Kuhn
- Hyunjun Yang
- Luke McCowan
- Callum McGregor
- Arne Engels
- Paulo Bernardo
- James Forrest
- Reo Hatate
Forwards
- Daizen Maeda
- Kyogo Furuhashi
- Adam Idah
The squad selection reflects a blend of youth and experience, with some players being crucial to Celtic’s domestic and European campaigns in recent years. Among the key names, Callum McGregor, James Forrest, and Anthony Ralston stand out as ‘club-trained’ players—those who have been with Celtic between the ages of 15 and 21 for at least three years. This designation is a UEFA requirement to ensure a minimum number of homegrown talents in the squad.
In addition to the club-trained players, Celtic has also included Luke McCowan, Greg Taylor, and Scott Bain as ‘association-trained’ players. These players have spent their formative years in Scotland, fulfilling another UEFA criterion that mandates clubs to register at least eight locally-trained players.
However, the squad announcement wasn’t without some notable absences. Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm, a summer signing, did not make it into the List A squad. Although Holm is young enough to be eligible for List B—reserved for players born after January 1, 2003—he doesn’t qualify under the UEFA regulations that require a player to have been at the club for at least two years continuously since their 15th birthday. Despite Holm’s exclusion, the squad seems well-balanced, with no other significant omissions.
The inclusion of veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who joined Celtic during the summer transfer window, is expected to bring much-needed experience and leadership to the team. Schmeichel, a Premier League winner with Leicester City, will likely be the first-choice keeper, supported by Sinisalo and Bain.
In defense, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor are expected to play crucial roles. Carter-Vickers, who has become a key figure at the back for Celtic, will be instrumental in organizing the defense against some of Europe’s most formidable attacking sides. Greg Taylor’s ability to contribute both defensively and offensively will also be vital, especially in matches where Celtic might need to switch quickly from defense to attack.
The midfield is anchored by Callum McGregor, who continues to be Celtic’s heartbeat in the center of the park. Alongside him, Reo Hatate and Luis Palma are expected to add creativity and dynamism, while James Forrest provides experience and reliability on the wings. The versatility in midfield allows Rodgers the flexibility to adapt his tactics depending on the opponent, which will be crucial in a group as challenging as this one.
Upfront, Kyogo Furuhashi leads the line, with Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah providing additional firepower. Furuhashi’s clinical finishing and movement off the ball will be essential if Celtic is to capitalize on the chances they create in these high-stakes matches.
Celtic’s Champions League journey is set to be a difficult one, but the squad assembled by Rodgers offers a blend of youth, experience, and talent capable of competing at the highest level. The home fixtures will be critical, as Celtic Park is known for its intimidating atmosphere, which has often played a part in memorable European nights for the club.
As the Bhoys gear up for their first match against Slovan Bratislava, the focus will be on starting the campaign with a strong performance. With the squad now finalized, Brendan Rodgers and his players are ready to take on the challenge of progressing through the group stage and making a mark in this year’s UEFA Champions League.
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