Scotland's UEFA coefficient is at risk of falling outside of the top ten meaning the guaranteed Champions League qualification spot is at risk - putting Celtic and Rangers on alert.
For the past two seasons, the winners of the Scottish Premiership have advanced straight into the group stage of the competition due to Scotland's relatively high country coefficient.
It has meant Celtic have automatically been included in the group stage draw due to Scotland being within the top ten country coefficients - and eliminating the need for any qualification rounds.
However, that could all change meaning next season's title winners could still face qualification rounds for the competition.
That's because the Czech Republic are just one result away from leapfrogging Scotland and taking the all-important top-ten spot.
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The Czechs have just Viktoria Plzen left in the Europa Conference League this season, but just one draw from their two quarter-final matches and Scotland would be overtaken in the UEFA coefficient standings.
While it still makes for bleak reading with Plzen within striking distance - their draw is yet to be made in the tournament - it could have been worse had Sparta Prague or Slavia Prague advanced in the Europa League last night. Both teams lost and were eliminated from the Europa League.
That would mean the automatic Champions League spot would be taken by the Czech leagues and leave the winners of the Scottish Premiership title next season still facing qualifying rounds to make the Champions League proper.
It would also see the second-placed side have to go through two qualifying rounds to make it into the hat for the group stage of the tournament instead of just one.
❌ Rangers are out of Europe, and so Scotland are left with no teams in Europe 😩
— Scotland’s Coefficient (@scotlandscoeff1) March 14, 2024
❌ Phillipe Clement still hasn't won a knockout tie in Europe as a manager after 6 attempts - (although was hampered by available players tonight & can feel aggrieved by the penalty award in the… https://t.co/pGfuw81XBN pic.twitter.com/kXXReQHxa6
One caveat, however, could see Rangers still go straight into the Champions League group stage even if Scotland drop from the top ten of the UEFA coefficient.
That's due to an impressive club coefficient for the Ibrox club - currently ranked 25th in Europe.
This means Rangers would likely still make automatic group stage qualification - should they win the league title next season - thanks to their previous performance in European competition.
Celtic, or any other Scottish club, would have to go through qualifying for the Champions League should they win the title and the Czech Republic have taken the coveted top ten UEFA country coefficient spot.
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