A close insight on how the UEFA coefficient is calculated and what it means for European qualification
A poor season in Europe for Scottish clubs, means damage to the coefficient.
From heartbreak in Kazakhstan for Celtic, demolition in Belgium for Rangers and humiliation for Aberdeen in Greece, it’s been a season to forget for Scottish clubs competing in Europe.
However, Celtic have a chance to progress further into the Europa League if they manage to win against struggling FC Utrecht on Thursday evening, which will make a slight difference to the coefficient.
Together, a total of 4 points have been added to the coefficient for Scotland so far, and with only three wins in total from group stage action and the Europa League campaign coming to an end this has caused problems for the Scottish coefficient.
Scotland sit well outside the top 15 and trail Cyprus by 3.893 points, which means a reduced number of teams competing in Europe next season. Champions League qualifiers could possibly turn into Conference League qualifiers for second and if you manage to win the Scottish Cup, four qualifying rounds sit in front of you before group stage football is even mentioned.
Financially all together, Scottish sides including Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee United have made a total of €37.2 million in earnings, with Rangers and Celtic both earning over €15 million. €40 million was guaranteed for Celtic if they beat Kairat Almaty in August which they failed to do so.
But if Rangers go on to win the title under Danny Rohl, they would have a good chance of being guaranteed automatic qualification to the Champions League, but there are a few things that would need to go there way if that was to happen, including Greek giants Olympiacos and Danish side Copenhagen failing to progress domestically and in Europe.
As of next season, Rangers will lose a huge portion of their coefficient points (19), which was accumulated with their amazing run in the Europa League which they got to the final in 2022.
This will mean Rangers will begin next season with a high percentage chance that automatically qualifying to the Champions League if they win the title in 2026/27 would not be possible due to this season’s shocking run.
And if this poor European form continues in Scotland, by season 2027/28 the impact will hit, when the first-place achievement is Champions League qualifying round 2.
If this is the case, trying to bring talent into the Scottish League and trying to keep a hold of talent will be very difficult as top players want to play in top European competitions, and if Scottish teams can’t offer that then players will look elsewhere, which could hurt Scottish football.
