Lawwell plans talks with John Hartson

A victory for the English side or Villarreal could force Celtic to qualify for next term's group stages.

And Lawwell told BBC Sport: "We'll only be there if this year's winners qualify directly from their league.

"We'll be cheering on Barcelona or AC Milan as they look like qualifying. Hopefully, that won't annoy Arsenal, but we have to be self-centred."

If the current domestic situation stays the same, Celtic will profit if Barcelona or AC Milan lift the trophy in Paris on 17 May.

Barca are currently 11 points clear of Real Madrid in Spain's Primera Liga, while Milan are nine points adrift of leaders Juventus and two points clear of Inter Milan in Italy's Serie A.

There has been a lot of speculation around Roy Keane, but we're hopeful Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell

Celtic won the Scottish title on Wednesday with six games of the season still remaining after a 1-0 victory over Hearts.

But Lawwell stresses that he expects a greater challenge from the Edinburgh club, boosted by the financial backing of Russian owner Vladimir Romanov, and Rangers, who will give incoming boss Paul Le Guen money to reshape Celtic's Glasgow rivals.

And the chief executive points out that direct qualification for the Champions League would give manager Gordon Strachan greater flexibility in the transfer market during the summer.

"It was a great, great feeling to regain the championship, especially to finish it so early," he said.

"But we understand what's happening at Hearts and we understand what's happening at Rangers.

"So we'll strengthen in the summer as we know we have to get better."

Hibernian defender Gary Caldwell and Scotland colleague Kenny Miller, the Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, have already signed pre-contract agreements to join Celtic at the end of the season.

And Strachan has expressed his desire to complete any additions to his squad before the summer's World Cup finals.

But Lawwell said: "That is the goal. How realistic it is depends on the availability of players. But, if it takes longer, it takes longer.

"Our priority will be to have a squad capable of retaining the title and doing even better domestically.

"And, if we have got into the Champions League group stages, we want to give a good account of ourselves."

Lawwell said that talks were ongoing with veteran midfielder Neil Lennon and he expected young forward Shaun Maloney to sign a new deal.

Striker John Hartson, who has had problems in his personal life, has hinted that he could leave, while veteran midfielder Roy Keane has questioned whether injuries will allow him to continue next season.

But Lawwell said: "We had a bid for John in January and we said he wasn't going and John didn't want to go.

"We will sit down with John and his representatives in the next couple of months.

"Roy has got another year to go. There has been a lot of speculation around that, but we're hopeful.