Scottish football is earning its place in the UEFA coefficient listing this week with Premiership clubs beating outfits from countries that are direct rivals to top ten status.
Hibernian and Rangers have both knocked off teams from Switzerland – currently 12th in coefficient rankings – while Hearts managed to overcome a deficit and take care of Rosenborg from Norway – currently 14th.
Remarkably, three Scottish teams are already guaranteed European group stage football, with another two one playoff tie away from the same achievement.
Celtic will play in the Champions League, Rangers in either the Champions League or Europa League and Aberdeen in either the Europa League or Conference League.
Hibs and Hearts now face daunting matchups against Aston Villa and PAOK for a place in the Conference League.
Scotland’s qualification for the 2024/25 edition of European football is already set. The Scottish Premiership winners this season, hopefully Celtic, will automatically qualify for the new ‘Swiss model’ format of the Champions League next term.
But seasons beyond that are very much in doubt when it comes to automatic qualification, placing extra meaning on this week’s results.
Scottish clubs need to show up well in Europe this season and next for long-term viability as a top-ten nation, which is a significant cutoff when it comes to group stage placings and qualification routes.
It would be fake to actively cheer on rival clubs in Europe, that’s not in doubt. But with a big picture view, better coefficient points being banked is no bad thing for Celtic or the rest of Scottish football, especially since European football is the only real direct route to finances that are fit for purpose to compete in the modern game.
If we want Celtic to keep avoiding dreaded summer qualifiers then both the Bhoys and teams down the league need to pack a punch up against clubs from other nations – especially those around Scotland that could push into the top ten themselves. This week, for a change, that has happened.
In other news, Joe Hart, Cameron Carter-Vickers and more respond to Carl Starfelt Celtic goodbye.
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