Scotland still remain in the top 10 of UEFA’s cofficient rankings – but only just after Sparta’s win over Galatasaray.
The guaranteed spot in the Champions League group stage has been put at risk with the Czech Republic surging up UEFA’s coefficient ranks.
The Scottish Premiership is locked in a fight to retain it’s top ten place before results from previous seasons drop off the total with Rangers the last representative as they wait to find out their opponent in the Europa League last 16. In contrast, the Czechs now have THREE teams battling it out in Europe – after Sparta Prague completed a dramatic late turnaround to thump Galatasaray 6-4 on aggregate and join the Light Blues in the last 16 as an unseeded side. The two could be drawn together despite facing each other in the group stage which would add a fascinating sub-plot.
Sparta were also joined their city rivals Slavia in Thursday’s draw – while Viktoria Plzen await their fate in the Europa Conference League. As detailed by Scotland’s coefficient, the last-gasp turnaround – with two goals in the last 10 minutes for Sparta – saw 0.75 added to the Czech Republic coefficient total taking them to 35.3 points in 11th place – with Scotland’s total just 35.85 in 10th spot.
After three group games the three Czech sides had already put Scots on red alert as they picked up 19 group stage points from the available 27 – whereas Premiership sides Celtic, Aberdeen and Rangers only picked up a paltry six points from their efforts across the three European competitions.
If Scotland do drop out the top 10 it would deal a hammer blow to the Scottish champions. This season’s winners of the SPFL gain automatic entry to the Champions League season for the 2024/25 campaign.
However, that could be the last time a Scottish side is propelled into Europe’s elite competition for the foreseeable future if the Czech Republic leapfrog them and break into the UEFA top 10. Holding the top 10 spot will be key for both Celtic and Rangers with the £35million prize pot for reaching the group stage to be doubled from next season.
Both Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement will be desperate to lift the Scottish title to claim the jackpot. However, Hoops’ supporters may be quietly hoping to see the Ibrox outfit surge in Europe to keep the mega-money rolling in.
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