Over what has been the most historically significant summer of all time for Scottish football, one half of Glasgow has remained somewhat out of the media spotlight. With all the goings-on in the blue side of Scotland’s biggest city, Celtic have been almost ignored throughout the summer other than in link to the Rangers’ stories in which they may have occasionally gained a passing mention. “Without the competition from Rangers, Celtic will have no hope of maintaining a good side”, “All money leaving Scottish football”, “Mass exodus of players from SPL” many papers have screamed out, with very few offering contrasting opinions. However, on Wednesday 29^th August, Celtic qualified for the Champions’ League Group Stages for the first time in 4 years, and in doing so sparked a beacon of hope for the future of Scottish football.

Despite making no significant signings, the ‘Bhoys’ have had what can certainly be seen as a successful transfer window, losing only one major player in Ki-Sung Yeung and for a healthy fee of £6 million. This meant that Neil Lennon started the season with a squad virtually unchanged from last seasons’ champions but with a year’s more experience under their belts. Over the opening few matches one young player in particular has stood out: Tony Watt. The 18-year old Scot has proved early on that he is more than willing to challenge for a place in the first team and his 4 goals from 5 league appearances (3 of which came as a sub) would suggest that he has every right to that place. Reports in this morning’s Scotsman of a potential move for Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero may excite Celtic fans but with such a promising young star in the dressing room already I would question whether the 37 year-old would be able to bring much to Celtic Park other than his wealth of experience.

Over the two legs against Swedish champions, Helsingborg, the young Celtic side showed determination in their attempts to overcome their opponents and ultimately did so decisively with a 4-0 aggregate win. Unfortunately, it will take more than pure determination to come over their next obstacle: Barcelona. In Group C, the Glasgow club will face the current world club champions, alongside Benfica and Spartak Moscow. The journey to Russia will introduce another dramatic element to Celtic’s European experience as they will face former player Aiden McGeady, who left the club in 2010 for a record fee of almost £10 million.

The chances of progressing any further in the competition are relatively slim given the quality of opposition, but Celtic are certainly in with a chance of finishing in third place in the group, which would see them drop into the Europa League knockout stages. However, regardless of how the team perform, they are being given an opportunity a young player at any club around the world would die for. To play on the same pitch as the likes of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi will be an invaluable experience for the young Celts and one that they should treasure no matter the outcome.

The experience for Celtic players and fans alike will surely be made all the sweeter by the fact that, while they are rubbing shoulders with the best in the world, their greatest rivals are struggling to pick up draws against the likes of Berwick Rangers in the depths of the fourth tier of Scottish football.