What Celtic really think about new Champions League format as insider 'reveals' behind the scenes chats

Celtic are 'delighted' with the newly revamped Champions League format according to an insider.

Former Liverpool defender and now Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claims Peter Schmeichel - father of new Hoops No1 Kasper - said that he spoke to people within the Scottish champions who could not be happier with the new system. The current format sees teams play eight games - four home and four away - instead of the traditional six against three different opponents home and away. This new structure pairs the likes of Celtic with eight other teams - with the Hoops kicking off in the perfect style with a five-star showing against Slovan Bratislava.

Carragher, who worked under Rodgers at Liverpool, spoke about how the Hoops tended to struggle in the past set-up to pick up victories and put themselves in a bid to qualify, but reckons Celtic will be one of those clubs the new system FAVOURS. The famous Parkhead atmosphere - lauded by the best to play the game both past and present - is another key factor that Callum McGregor and his colleagues have in their locker to push them up the levels against the biggest and best club sides across Europe.

Speaking on CBS Sports, he said: “You think of Celtic, I think Peter (Schmeichel) said before the game that people he spoke to at the club are delighted with the new format and set-up. Don’t forget, Celtic are one of those teams in the past who probably struggled to get a win under their belt in the old group stage. It’s good for my old manager there, Brendan Rodgers, and for Celtic.

“It’s a fantastic atmosphere. The thing is, if they are fortunate to get to a knockout round, then the atmosphere there will be second to none around Europe. It’s a great night for them. They are probably