Celtic have already postponed their Premiership trip to St Johnstone, which had been scheduled for August 22 – between the two legs of their Champions League play-off. The request has been approved, leaving both clubs free to focus entirely on securing a place in the Champions League group stage. Qualification for the Champions League proper would bring a financial boost worth around £40 million, alongside the prestige of returning to Europe’s top competition. A Champions League play-off is no place for unnecessary risks, particularly when the margins can be so fine over 180 minutes. A missed opportunity to reach the Champions League cannot.