Rangers Europa League victory over Sparta Prague has helped boost Scotland’s European coefficient as we remain in ninth place in the table.
This position isn’t guaranteed, as there are a few countries that are chasing us down. Russia currently sits in 10th place on 32.682 points, less than a full point behind Scotland.
Much has been made in recent years of the relative lack of Scottish involvement in European competition, especially in the group stages of both the Champions League and the Europa League.
Before Rangers were promoted in 2016, Scotland’s European coefficient sat at a measly 26th place.
This has eventually led to other Scottish clubs such as Aberdeen and Hibs getting more opportunities for continental success. Especially since the formation of the Europa Conference League.
Scotland’s vast improvement in the UEFA coefficient has primarily been down to Rangers. As of the latest round of Europa League matches, Rangers are occupying 41st place in the club coefficient table, whereas Celtic are down in 49th.
Compare this to the period before Steven Gerrard arrived as manager, a bleak period for the club and one that saw us sitting down in 265th place.
It has been a remarkable rise in Europe for the club, and one that has boosted Scotland’s national coefficient by 17 places.
This is important as due to the Ibrox side’s success; the winners of this year’s Scottish Premiership will enter the 2022/23 Champions’ League group stages (provided this year’s winners qualify via their domestic league) and that will bring major financial rewards which can boost the club.
With a Europa League playoff spot guaranteed, all we need now is for Rangers to keep progressing.
Speaking of European competition, Alfredo Morelos has entered an elite Europa League list after his two goals against Sparta.
