Celtic’s Europa League play-off hopes: one point adrift, can we qualify?

Celtic’s Europa League play-off hopes are alive after the 3-2 victory over Beşiktaş put our first three points on the board. Despite sitting 32nd, we are only one point behind 24th-placed Sturm Graz.

That is the encouragement tonight’s result gives us. After three defeats, Celtic have something to build on, with four matches and 12 points still available.

However, the schedule brings a challenge: three away games and only one more European night at Celtic Park.

Celtic Europa League play-off hopes: the remaining fixtures

UEFA’s fixture list confirms trips to Torreense, Omonia and Union Saint-Gilloise, alongside a home meeting with Marseille.

Here is how those opponents compare with Celtic in the post-match Europa League table.

Opponent	Date	Venue	Position	Points	Gap ahead of Celtic
Torreense	26 November 2026	Away	19th	6	3 points
Omonia	10 December 2026	Away	18th	6	3 points
Marseille	21 January 2027	Home	31st	3	Level on points
Union Saint-Gilloise	28 January 2027	Away	4th	10	7 points

Standings after matchday four on 5 November 2026. Celtic are 32nd with three points and a goal difference of minus five.

Torreense away — 26 November

The next match offers an immediate chance to close the gap on a team above us. Torreense have six points, so a Celtic win would bring us level with their current total.

That makes Portugal a significant opportunity. We cannot afford to approach it as an easy assignment, but it is a fixture we should target for three points.

Omonia away — 10 December

Omonia also have six points and sit one place above Torreense. Therefore, the December trip presents another chance to take points directly from a side currently inside the qualification places.

These two away games could change the campaign. They could also leave us chasing results in January if we fail to build on tonight.

Marseille at home — 21 January

Marseille are level with Celtic on three points, sitting one place higher because of their better goal difference.

Our only remaining home match looks especially important. Whatever their reputation, their current position gives Celtic every reason to approach this as a game we can win.

Union Saint-Gilloise away — 28 January

The final assignment currently looks the toughest. Union sit fourth with ten points, seven ahead of Celtic.

Ideally, we want to reach Belgium with a strong points total already secured. Leaving ourselves needing an away victory against one of the table’s leading sides would be a difficult position.

How many more points might Celtic need?

Seven more points would take Celtic to ten: two wins and a draw from the final four games. Three victories would produce 12.

I would treat ten as a useful working target, rather than a guarantee. The final cut-off depends on results across the competition, while our minus-five goal difference could matter if teams finish level.

As our earlier piece on O’Neill’s European assessment argued, progress needs evidence on the pitch. Tonight provides a result to build on after the concerns surrounding our Beşiktaş preview.

We are still outside the top 24. Nevertheless, a one-point gap with half the league phase remaining is recoverable.

Celtic have given themselves a chance. Now we need to turn one European victory into a run.

Key takeaways

• Celtic have three points and trail 24th place by one.
• Three away games and one home fixture remain.
• Seven more points would take Celtic to ten, without guaranteeing qualification.