Thursday 16 November 2017 10:15, UK
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell says changes to the Europa League 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 and on a British record run of 63 domestic games unbeaten, 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.
