Celtic earned more coefficient points this term than in the last three European campaigns but need a big performance next season to avoid slipping further down UEFA’s ranking list.
Brendan Rodgers’ side banked seven coefficient points from participation in the Champions League group stage – securing one win and a draw along the way.
That’s more than the six points earned in 2022/23 and 2021/22 under Ange Postecoglou and more than double the amount from the ill-fated 2020/21 Europa League stint.
However, the ten-point coefficient haul from the 2019/20 European run drops off of Celtic’s calculations from next season onwards, meaning that the Bhoys need a strong showing in UEFA competitions next term.
UEFA’s club ranking determines things like seeding and Celtic’s place on the ten-year list for bonus payments. The Bhoys currently sit 54th on the seeding list and in 50th on the ten-year list.
Scotland sit precariously on the automatic Champions League bubble
Scotland is at serious risk of dropping out of the top ten when it comes to country coefficient rankings.
This season’s Scottish Premiership winners are guaranteed entry into the 2023/24 Champions League group stage. However, if Scotland drop out of the top ten this season, then 2023/24’s Premiership winners will have to qualify for the 2024/25 edition.
Scotland is currently right on the bubble in tenth with Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and the Czech Republic all below.
Celtic can no longer make an impact on this total but Aberdeen and Rangers both still have opportunities to pick up coefficient points.
We all know how difficult the qualification process can be for the Bhoys. It disrupts the summer months, allows less preparation for the season ahead and can unfortunately throw up some unwanted shocks.
Automatic entry in the Champions League has been a bonus for Celtic over the last couple of seasons but over the next few years, the cycle could revert to those summer gauntlets without improvement across the board.
In other news, James McFadden reckons Celtic defence just proved a point up against £44m-rated talent.
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