Former England striker Gary Lineker has acknowledged Celtic as potential dark horses in the UEFA Champions League, despite their rocky start in the tournament.

The admission comes after a tumultuous first few fixtures for Brendan Rodgers' squad, which has seen them oscillate between impressive performances and a disheartening defeat.

Celtic kicked off their Champions League campaign with a dazzling 5-1 home victory over Slovan Bratislava, showcasing their attacking prowess and raising hopes among fans.

However, the optimism quickly faded when they faced Borussia Dortmund, who delivered a staggering 7-0 thrashing in Germany.

This heavy loss initially seemed to set the stage for another disappointing European campaign for the Scottish champions, reminiscent of past struggles on the continental stage.

Yet, Celtic's fortunes began to shift dramatically when they traveled to Atalanta on matchday three. In a display of tactical discipline and resilience, they executed a defensive masterclass, managing to secure a valuable point against the Italian side.

By the end of their first three matches, Celtic have accumulated four points, which has positioned them 20th in the Champions League standings, a ranking that, under the new format, could very well lead them to the knockout stages.

When Lineker was questioned about the tournament's unexpected standout teams, he pointed to Aston Villa and Brest as the frontrunners but also highlighted Celtic's resurgence. He remarked that it feels "weird" to consider Celtic in this light, given their unpredictable form, yet their ability to bounce back speaks volumes about the team's character and potential.

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“Villa, three wins from three, you’d have to say them," the Match of the Day host told The Rest Is Football Podcast. 

"The three English teams are top, aren’t they, with Manchester City and Liverpool as well. So I’d say Brest, the team in France, who are going really well. Two wins and a draw, which is, I think, pretty impressive.

“Celtic, in a weird way, considering they actually got battered in one game, seven [against Dortmund], they’ve got four points from the other two games. That gives them a chance of being, probably realistically, in the middle block.”