Celtic AGM: Chief Executive Peter Lawwell predicts changes to Europa League format

CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell has predicted changes to the Europa League which will help Scottish football as a whole.

Lawwell sits on the 16-man executive board of the European Club Association, which drives much of the change in European football along with UEFA.

The Champions League format is due to change from next season, with four clubs from the top four nations automatically qualifying for the group stages, although Celtic’s way in through the champions’ route remains open, if narrowed.

The subsequent three-year cycle begins in 2021 and Lawwell believes Scottish clubs will benefit from a tweaking of the Europa League format.

“European football will change, that’s for sure,” said Lawwell at Celtic’s annual general meeting.

“You may find the Champions League doesn’t change significantly over the next two cycles, which is good news for us because the champions’ route will be maintained. It’s going to be slightly more difficult, but it’s still there, which is very, very positive.

“What might be changing is the Europa League. I think they are looking in the shorter term, ways of expanding the Europa League, and that would be great for Scottish football as well as Celtic.

“We know we are limited here in Scotland financially and the way forward for Celtic and Scottish clubs is to perform more in Europe and have more of our games played in Europe.

“So if we can get more Scottish clubs in European competition then that would be great because the finance that brings in is new and that should hopefully help the competitive balance here in Scotland.”

As well as sitting on the ECA board, Lawwell believes continued Champions League involvement keeps Celtic on the radar of top European clubs.

He added: “It’s vital we are there, it’s vital for Celtic and Scotland. There will be change, but the positive thing is we have a voice. We are at senior level and hopefully that will stand us in good stead for any change.”

With Celtic fresh from an unbeaten domestic treble, the AGM was a largely positive affair, with the board backing a resolution from the floor to improve facilities for disabled supporters.

The board also informed shareholders they were still awaiting the outcome of the Scottish Football Association compliance officer’s investigation into the circumstances surrounding Rangers’ application for a European licence in 2011, with no timescale available.

And Lawwell dismissed calls from one shareholder to stop using Park’s of Hamilton to transport teams. The coach-hire company is the family firm of Rangers directors Douglas and Graeme Park, the former of which has recently loaned money to the Govan club.

Lawwell was asked: “Why are you continuing to subsidise that club across the water?”

“We have talked about that but I think as a club like Celtic we have to be above all that,” he said. “It’s very difficult to find an alternative. We could buy our own bus, but we would need two in case one breaks down.

“I don’t think we are subsidising Rangers, I think that’s a stretch. I think we’re bigger and better and above all that.”