Celtic fans are licking their wounds after a sobering night in the Champions League in Leipzig - but all hope is not lost for Ange Postecoglou's knockout stage dream.
RB Leipzig put a major dent in the Scottish Premiership champions’ hopes of securing second spot in the group to reach the last 16 with their 3-1 win in Germany, and the two will do it all again at Celtic Park next week after an all-action encounter in round one. With European champions Real Madrid running away with top spot in Group F after seeing off Shakhtar Donesk at the Bernabeu it leaves the Ukrainian champions, Marco Rose's men and Celtic to battle it out for second spot.
The Hoops are rooted to the bottom of the section at the midway stage with just a point from the three games, but punters will believe there is still a chance of continuing their European adventure. Celtic Park could play a major factor before a matchday six showdown with Los Blancos.
But Celtic could go into the final day not even needing a point. Record Sport maps out the route to the last 16 for the Hoops.
Matchday Four
To kickstart the push for the Champions League last 16, a win against RB Leipzig is a must. Marco Rose's men currently sit on three points, and Celtic would leapfrog their rivals to move into a third placed Europa League slot as a minimum.
The Celtic Park atmosphere could be a major factor under the lights with the Parkhead fans set to create a cauldron for the visiting German side. With a win, attention would then turn to Real Madrid' s trip to Krakow to face Shakhtar Donesk.
The Ukrainian champions gave the Galacticos something to think about last night, but Carlo Ancelotti's men held on to secure the three points. Celtic will be hoping the European powerhouse can get the expected result and keep Shakhtar on four points.
When Celtic have previously reached the knockout stage in 2007/08 and 2012/13 the matchday four home fixture has been key. A win over Benfica in 2007 proved to be the turning point back in 2007, while the historic win over Barcelona put Neil Lennon's Celtic on course for the last 16.
Matchday Five
Should everything go to plan for Postecoglou, they will go into the game with Shakhtar Donetsk level on four points. RB Leipzig would be trailing on three, while Real Madrid would be way out in front with 12 points.
Again, a win is a must under the lights at Celtic Park. Having drawn with the Ukrainian champions in Krakow while passing up countless chances for a winner, the Parkhead fans will be confident of securing a vital three points and taking their tally to seven.
At this stage the defending European champions Real would have qualified for the last 16, but Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to take his foot off the gas when they travel to Leipzig. Parkhead fans will be hoping that it's another comfortable night for Real and they take their group stage tally to 15.
Matchday Six
With back to back Champions League wins from both Celtic and Real Madrid, the pressure would be off at the Bernabeu. Neither side would need any more points with the Scottish champions on 7, while the La Liga side sit on 15 going into the game.
There is a scenario where Shakhtar could finish level on points with Celtic should they beat Leipzig and the Scottish champions are defeated by Real. If Ange Postecoglou's men win on matchday five it will be a non-factor.
When teams are level on points, the group is then decided in head-to-head matches among tied teams and the pressure would be off in the Spanish capital. RB Leipzig would be on three and unable to catch the Hoops.
It's a familiar scenario for Celtic fans, who did their work in the group stage back in 2007 before a final day celebration in Milan. Benfica couldn't catch Gordon Strachan's men and it was party time in Italy, could supporters be on for a repeat in Madrid?
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