Celtic made it through to today’s Europa League draw after a 1-0 win in Bosnia but the win isn’t just good news for the club in the present – Scottish football is set to challenge Turkey in the coefficient rankings which could see the league seal an AUTOMATIC Champions League spot for the champions of Scotland by 2022.
Our city rivals knocking out a Turkish side along with both teams runs in the competition last season has seen the Scottish coefficient shoot up to the point there will at least be less qualifiers for the champions.
ESPN writer Dale Johnson explained the news on social media after both sides of Glashow qualified for the group stages of the Europa League:
“Huge news for Scottish football as both Celtic and Rangers make the group stage of the Europa League again.
“But even more important that Rangers knocked out a Turkish club, in Galatasaray.
“Scotland’s meteoric rise up the UEFA coefficient means two places in UCL qualifying from next season, with fewer qualifying rounds to play.
“Now, if Celtic and Rangers can perform in the UEL this term, there is a real chance of earning one automatic place in the UCL for 2022-23.
“Scotland 13th place, but with Rangers knocking out Galatasaray it means Scotland (Rangers, Celtic) and Turkey (Istanbul Basaksehir, Sivasspor) only two teams left.
“Scotland (13) and Turkey (12) separated by 0.025 of a coefficient point. Scotland earn more than that with a draw.
“If Scotland can outperform Turkey, they have a chance of breaking into the top 11, which is usually an auto UCL place.
“Scotland would have to do better than Ukraine, who have three teams left but two are in the Champions League where coefficient points are harder to come by.
“With Denmark, Cyprus, Serbia and Switzerland, directly below Scotland, down to one team, Scotland’s key position within the top 15 looks almost guaranteed.
“Now, if Celtic and Rangers perform well in the UEL an auto UCL place for the Scottish champs is there for the taking.”
This would make a massive difference, potentially, if Celtic manage to keep their strangle hold on the SPFL title. No qualifiers to worry about and guaranteed Champions League money.
Celtic will find out their fate later today with the draw set for 12pm. The club being in pot one means they will dodge clubs like Arsenal and Spurs but they could land Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side.
That is great news but can we now take the ball and chain off the players ankles and get this show on the road, bring back a happy camp that love playing with heart and guts in winner takes all games from here on in…