It has been no secret that Celtic and Rangers have contributed to Scotland’s rising coefficient, with the country currently up to 14th as it stands in the UEFA national rankings. 

While Aberdeen, and to a lesser extent Kilmarnock, contributed to the coefficient, the majority has been won by the Glasgow sides. However, while much has been written about the national coefficient, and that quest for automatic Champions League qualification, less has been said about the achievements of the individual clubs and what it means for future campaigns. 

READ MORE: Celtic and Rangers club coefficient hits five-year high

By securing a number of wins, both in qualification and in the Europa League, Neil Lennon’s side are, as it stands, set to rise 9 places in the UEFA 5-year Club ranking, moving from 46th to 37th.

The rankings are used in UEFA’s own words “to rank individual clubs, for seeding in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League” as well as the soon-to-be-introduced UEFA Europa Conference League.

Club coefficient is based on the results of clubs competing in the five previous seasons of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. The rankings determine the seeding of each club in relevant UEFA competition draws. The total number of points obtained this season are tallied with the results of the previous four seasons to calculate the coefficient. With famous wins over the likes of Lazio, Rennes and Cluj this season, Celtic have amassed 9.00 coefficient points.

Celtic are 28th in the overall coefficient table so far this season, matching the likes of Inter Milan, Manchester United and Benfica in terms of coefficient points won. 

The Herald: Olivier Ntcham scored in the last minute to send Celtic through to the last 32 with a game to spare. Olivier Ntcham scored in the last minute to send Celtic through to the last 32 with a game to spare.

With Celtic set to play FC Copenhagen in the last 32, the club could add more to their already impressive tally, which in turn could make it easier for themselves and other clubs to secure a seat at Europe’s top table.  

READ MORE: The data that shows Scotland have jumped to 13th in the coefficient rankings

Clubs are guaranteed a minimum of three points if they reach the group stage of the Europa League and are awarded an additional point if they get to the quarter-finals, semi-finals or final.

While the points amassed so far this season are certainly a factor for Celtic’s surge up the UEFA ranking table for 2021, the other factor is that points gained for the 15-16 season will drop off the overall score and be replaced by this season’s tally. That will see Celtic will lose the 3.00 points they gained in 15/16 and replace them with 9.00 they have so far ahead of the 2020/21 season, with the points gained that season then contributing to their 2022 ranking. 

So if Celtic are to go just as far next season, they could rise even higher in the rankings and move themselves, and Scotland in general, closer to that elusive automatic qualification spot. 

The Herald: The current 5-year ranking. Next season the 3.00 will not contribute to Celtic's overall score. The current 5-year ranking. Next season the 3.00 will not contribute to Celtic's overall score.

While a rise in coefficient may not feel especially significant in comparison to the riches that the club would enjoy in qualifying for the Champions League, it could have an impact on seeding for either the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa League, if Celtic are to qualify next season.

READ MORE: Rangers set to move up 17 places in UEFA club coefficient rankings 

Perhaps most importantly for supporters of other Scottish football teams, every point gained by Celtic is also contributing to the national coefficient which could see more Scottish teams in Europe and an easier qualification route in the future.  

All information based on calculations obtained on 17/02