Celtic stands on the brink of a monumental Champions League opportunity, with a staggering £40 million jackpot awaiting successful qualification. The anticipation builds for Monday’s crucial playoff draw, which will unveil the final hurdle between the Scottish giants and a coveted spot in Europe’s most elite club competition.

This is a winner-takes-all two-legged shootout, a high-stakes battle for a golden ticket to the group stages. The Hoops are aiming to secure their place at European football’s top table for an impressive fourth consecutive year, underscoring their consistent ambition on the continental stage.

Among the potential adversaries, Swiss side Basel emerges as arguably the toughest draw on paper. Having reclaimed the Swiss Super League title, Basel also carries a historical weight for Celtic supporters, recalling their memorable upset in 2002. Despite that past, current players like former Hoops flop Albian Ajeti and ex-Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri add intrigue to a potential clash.

Another possible opponent, Slovan Bratislava, presents a different challenge. While they ended a significant Champions League exile by qualifying last term, Celtic boasts a recent dominant victory over the Slovakian champions, a comfortable 5-1 win at Parkhead last September, suggesting a more favorable matchup.

Dynamo Kyiv, should they advance, would eye an Old Firm double, having previously eliminated Rangers from Champions League qualifiers. The Ukrainian champions recently dethroned Shakhtar Donetsk domestically but struggled in last season’s Europa League. Celtic also has a history with Kyiv, having narrowly edged past them in the 2015 qualifiers.

Azerbaijan’s Qarabag offers yet another distinct profile. They have consistently reached European group stages over the past 11 seasons but have only once made it to the Champions League proper, in 2017/18. For Celtic, a potential encounter with Qarabag is widely regarded as the most straightforward route to the lucrative group phase.

As Monday’s draw looms, the varying strengths and weaknesses of these potential opponents highlight the diverse challenges awaiting Celtic. The outcome will not only shape their European campaign but also significantly impact the club’s financial landscape, making this playoff a truly pivotal moment for the Hoops.