Henry Jackson 
Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport
Celtic’s Champions League exit at the hands of CFR Cluj on Tuesday was a low point in the club’s recent history.
The Hoops crashed out of Europe’s top club competition 5-4 on aggregate, following a surprise 4-3 defeat at Parkhead in the second leg.
Avid Celtic fan Sir Rod Stewart believes they will only be able to challenge in the competition if they end up playing in England, talking up the proposal on talkSPORT:
Celtic are never going to win the Champions League, we know that. It’s just income for us, and we blew £30m last night by not qualifying.
They won’t win it again unless we can get into the English league somehow, earn the sort of money Sky can pay, afford the sort of players Arsenal and Tottenham and all the others can buy.
Us spending £7m is a big deal – how are we ever going to win the Champions League playing £7m for a player?
Fans have been reacting to the rock legend’s comments on Twitter, with some mocking his remarks and others predicting how Celtic would fare in England.
https://twitter.com/SamHughess3592/status/1161573184963010565?s=20
Better off not qualifying to be fair. Can you imagine what real teams would do to them? Carnage
— Greg Martin (@gregmartin19) August 14, 2019
Water is wet as well Rod
— andyreidy (@andyreidy1) August 14, 2019
Is this really up for debate?
— FPL Wildcard (@FPL_Wildcard) August 14, 2019
Rod Stewart= Einstein 😂😂😂
— David (@David36050087) August 14, 2019
Celtic have not been seriously challenged in the Scottish game for too long. They're now victims of their own domestic success.
— Ali Speight (@ALSP8) August 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/FI_Red78/status/1161575741437468672?s=20
READ CELTIC VERDICT
While plenty of Celtic supporters may like the thought of being tested against England’s top clubs, there is no sign of that happening in the near future.
It could be argued that a lack of competition in the Scottish Premiership hinders their performances in Europe, with the Hoops not used to playing sides of such quality.
It would, therefore, be exciting to witness Celtic trying their luck across the border in years to come – such is the size of the club, they could flourish with more financial power behind them.
For now, however, focus must be on the Europa League and overcoming the disappointment of the Cluj defeat.
