Celtic's European adventure is over for another season after a heart-breaking defeat to Bayern Munich. The German giants scrambled to a 1-1 draw against the Scottish champions, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory in their Champions League play-off clash. The Hoops were the better side for most of the match and spurned a number of guilt-edged chances in the opening half hour. Celtic got their just rewards as former Bayern player Nicholas Kuhn swept passed Manuel Neuer to give the visitors a stunning second-half lead. But with seconds to go Kasper Schmeichel pulled off an outstanding save from Jamal Musiala's header. Cameron Carter-Vickers was then beaten to the rebound by substitute Alphonso Davies and the rest is now history. But Celts supporters have still had plenty to shout about, reaching their first European knockout game in 12 years. Victories over the likes of RB Leipzig, Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys sealed their place in the promise land. And next season those in green and white will be dreaming of a return to the biggest stage in European club football. Brendan Rodgers' men may have a 13-points lead over Rangers in the Premiership table, but it will take more than that to return to the stage everyone associated with the club wants the most. Record Sport takes a look at Celtic's potential path back to Europe's premiere club competition. How can Celtic qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League proper? Scotland has dropped in the UEFA coefficient rankings one spot too many. Celtic may progress via the Champions Path but not straight into the league phase with the rest of the big boys. The Hoops will face a final Play-off round, with two legs deciding who makes it into the competition proper. Celtic will face other sides who end the 2024/25 season as domestic champions from similar nations. The good news about the draw is that Scotland are, as it stands, the highest ranked league in the play-off qualifying round. This means whoever they face will likely head to Parkhead as underdogs. Who are Celtic's potential 2025/26 Champions League Playoff opponents? There are still many permutations for the Parkhead club with champions yet to be decided in almost all the rival nations. There could be clash with perennial Greek champions Olympiacos. The current Europa Conference League holders drew 1-1 with Rangers in the Europa League group phase and would prove the toughest opponent. Champions League regulars Copenhagen could also be drawn out the hat. It would mean a big occasion for Danish keeper Kasper Schmiechel who would return to his homeland to face his country's biggest club. Lugano have a bit more work to do if they are to join them in the pot. It's tight at the top in Switzerland, with three points separating the top four. Potential opponents as it stands (some sides must qualify from earlier rounds) Lugano (SUI) Sturm Graz (AUT) Bodo/Glimt (NOR) Olympiacos (GRE) FC Copenhagen (DEN) Hapoel Be'er Sheva FC (ISR) Dynamo Lyiv (UKR) Crvena Zvezda (SRB) Rijeka (CRO) Lech Posnan (POL) Pafos (CYP) Ferencvaros (HUN) When does the Champions League play-off draw take place? The draw for the UEFA Champions League play-offs will be held on August 4, 2025. The draw for the very first qualifying round is held as early as June 17! When do the Champions League play-offs take place? If Celtic are to play in this round they face a first leg tie on either August 19-20 and a second leg tie a week later on either August 26-27.