Rangers’ Borna Barisic comments on Celtic’s European success

Add as preferred source on Google

Rangers left-back Borna Barisic believes that Celtic’s Europa League success is good for Scottish football.

Celtic became the first-ever Scottish club to secure qualification from a European group stage with two games to spare nearly two weeks ago. Out of a possible 12 points, the Hoops have secured 10. Only Rennes have managed to hold us to a draw, and Celtic even came out of that contest looking like the better team.

Across the city, it’s fair to say that our rivals have also been doing well in Europe too. Rangers aren’t yet qualified for the last-32, but have managed to beat both Feyenoord and Porto at Ibrox, as well as manage a draw away in Portugal.

Croatian defender Barisic is pleased to see such positive form from both sides, and said in the Scottish Sun that it was “good” for Scotland if Celtic are also doing well.

“I think people will see the Scottish league as strong this year because of what the clubs have achieved in Europe. It is good if Celtic play well and we play well. It lifts the whole league.”

What have Celtic and Rangers done for Scotland this season?

Out of a possible 24 points in group stage competition, both sides have managed to secure a combined 17 points. Celtic have been more successful than Rangers this season, but it’s still a remarkable amount of points for both sides.

These results have led to Scotland getting as many as 30 coefficient points this season. We’re now the fifth-highest nation in Europe for coefficient points gained this season. Only England, Spain, Netherlands, and Germany are higher (UEFA).

Unfortunately, those points are divided by the total number of teams who represented a particular country. Scotland had four including both Aberdeen and Kilmarnock. This leaves Scotland on 7.5 points for the season.

It’s incredible to think that Scotland is ahead of countries such as Portugal, Italy, and France respectively for the current season.

That form means that, overall, Scotland sit 16th in the main coefficient table, which takes into account the points over the last five seasons including the this year. We’re just 0.125 points behind Cyprus. If Scotland can overtake the Cypriots, who have had three of four clubs knocked out of Europe already, they will get a second Champions League spot (Scottish Sun).

For Celtic, this would mean automatic progression to the next round of qualifying in season 2021/22. So it’s certainly all going towards a good cause.

According to UEFA rules, a win equals two coefficient points. So it’s fair to say we’re right on Cyprus’ tail, who only have APOEL Nicosia still in Europe this season.