By Aaron MacCreadie

Celtic and Rangers have struggled in UEFA competitions over the past years. Since the season 2022-23, both clubs combined have achieved 17 points from a possible 72.

Consistent dismal results now mean that Scottish football faces the consequences by losing their UEFA top 10 coefficient ranking that ensures guaranteed Champions League group-stage football for the champions of Scotland from season 2025/26.

Celtic have won six Champions league games since that scalp of Barcelona, 12 years ago today. Two of which have already been this season. They been on the end of embarrassing results. In four out of the five Champions League, Celtic have lost at least once in every year by six goals.

The Ibrox club qualified for the Champions League group-stages through the qualifiers in 2022. The first time since 2010/11. They lost all six games and finished their campaign with a -20-goal difference. Making them the worst ever team to compete in the competition.

Scotland currently sit 16th in the ranking and are below the likes of Austria, Greece, Denmark, Israel, Norway and Turkey.

The revamped UEFA European draw introduces a completely new concept to accommodate the league phase format. This new format sees Celtic and Rangers compete in a more dynamic and engaging structure. Out of the 36 teams, the top 24 will qualify for the playoffs which will be played in February 2025.

As we’re now looking ahead to matchday five in the Champions League, Celtic sit on seven points from 12, which is the joint most they’ve ever achieved after matchday 4, and only require one more victory to qualify for the play-offs.

They have won both their home games against Slovan Bratislava (5-1) and RB Leipzig (3-1). Speaking after the game on Tuesday, manager, Brendan Rodgers said: “It is probably my best European victory”. With favourable games still to come, Celtic supporters are dreaming of a top 8 finish, that guarantees them in the hat for the last 16 draw in February.

Celtic manager Brendan rodgers by Ian MacNicol

Phillipe Clement’s side have also started their Europa League campaign reasonably well. They have gained six points from nine. Beating Malmo away from home with a comfortable 2-0 victory and demolishing the Romanian champions FCSB 4-0 at Ibrox. They have tougher games to come as they will be welcoming Spurs to Ibrox in December and will be travelling to Old Trafford in January. However, their strong start still puts them in a good position to make the top 24 and qualify for the play-offs.

This strong start for Glasgow’s big two means both clubs have achieved 13 points combined this season already from a possible 21. Both clubs still have six games to play. Celtic and Rangers are on track to achieve more points in fewer games than they have in the last three seasons itself.

If these results are consistent, Scotland’s coefficient will rise again that will ensure a place for a Scottish team at Europe’s top table, showing that the new format might suit the two teams better than the former which they struggled in.

New European format gives the two top Scottish teams a fighting chances