The obscure UEFA rule that gives the Celtic board Champions League transfer breathing space

Celtic have until today to make fresh additions before they can register for the Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty.

The Parkhead team is two games away from reaching the lucrative Champions League group stage, but the Kazakhstani club stands in their way.

With no actual transfer ties or hints to go on, it appears like Celtic fans will be disappointed if they expected the team to sign a new player before the deadline.

However, there is a little-known UEFA clause that most fans are unaware of, and it may provide the Celtic board with some breathing room in terms of strengthening ahead of the major play-off clash.

How can Celtic register two more players? 24 hours before the Kairat Almaty tie.
UEFA allows teams to register an additional two players 24 hours before the first leg of their play-off tie, as long as one criterion is met.

According to Rule 31.10 on the official UEFA website, “For the qualifying phase and play-offs, a club may register a maximum of two new eligible players on List A after the above-mentioned deadlines, provided the locally trained player quota is respected.”

“This registration must be completed by 24:00 CET the day before the relevant first-leg match, and the club’s association must declare in writing that the new player is now eligible to compete at the domestic level.

“If the registration of a new player causes the number of players on List A to exceed 25, the club must remove a player registered previously to reduce the number of players on the list to 25 again.”

That is fantastic news for Celtic, but it is not ideal if the Parkhead club has to scramble to register a player 24 hours before the season’s biggest game.

Current Celtic transfer speculations
There have been no Celtic transfer rumours in the last 24 hours or so.

Brendan Rodgers has been emphatic about the need to strengthen Celtic ahead of the new season, but after signing Jamaih Simpson-Pusey from Manchester City, all transfer chatter appears to have died down.

Celtic appear to be going into the Kairat clash with their present collection of players, which appears to be a dangerous strategy on the part of the club.

Hopefully, Celtic will be strong enough to defeat Kairat and secure their spot among UEFA’s elite clubs. If not, the board will face significant pressure from the Hoops supporters.