Celtic will be in the Champions League group stages next season if they secure the Scottish Premiership title in the coming days.

UEFA have confirmed that Russian teams will be banned from participating in the tournament during the 2022/23 campaign, which means that Scotland will be given an automatic place for the group phase of Europe’s top competition.

Consequently, Celtic are very close to receiving the £40m prize money that goes with reaching that stage of the Champions League, with Ange Postecoglou’s needing only four points from their last three league fixtures to secure top spot.

The Hoops face Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday lunchtime, and a win would all but seal the title, considering they have a vastly superior goal difference to Rangers. However, they can make things official if they do follow up a potential victory this weekend with a point or more versus Dundee United on Wednesday week.