Celtic’s slim Omar Elabdellaoui hopes surely over after Champions League progression

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Celtic target Omar Elabdellaoui progressed to the group stages of the Champions League with Olympiacos. The Greek side beat FC Krasnodar 2-1 in Russia to seal a 6-1 aggregate win in the Champions League play-off round.

Olympiacos now go into Pot 3 for the group stage draw in the Champions League. But their progression is surely bad news for Celtic. The Bhoys’ chances of signing Elabdellaoui now look increasingly slim.

Olympiacos progress but Celtic don’t

Celtic have their eye on Elabdellaoui but a report by The Daily Record claimed that this is unlikely due to both sides’ European status. While Elabdellaoui will be playing Champions League football, Celtic will be in the Europa League.

Neil Lennon’s men lost to CFR Cluj in the Champions League qualifying rounds and must now beat AIK to progress in the Europa League. Olympiacos, on the other hand, can offer the 27-year-old the chance to play Champions League football, which is a big attraction.

Alternative right-back options

With Elabdellaoui now unlikely to join, Celtic need to act fast to sign a replacement. Hatem Abd Elhamed joined this summer but he has already shown that he is quite injury prone.

Lennon has been forced to play Kristoffer Ajer at right-back and while the towering Norway star has impressed, he is needed in central defence. The right-back situation is becoming a priority and Celtic need to think about this just as much as the left-back department.

Different story regarding Meling

Birger Meling is another Celtic target (Daily Record) who was playing in the Champions League last night. But his side failed to progress. Rosenborg drew 1-1 with Dinamo Zagreb on the night, losing 3-1 on aggregate.

The Norway star is a left-back and he could be about to join Celtic. With a deal for Greg Taylor in the balance, Celtic might turn to Meling as they can offer him Europa League football (the same level as Rosenborg).