Rangers face UEFA Champions League heartache with automatic group stage spot at risk
Rangers and other Scottish Premiership clubs have been put on red alert after it emerged new changes being made will see the 11th-ranked UEFA nation lose its automatic group stage spot, according to the Daily Record.
Rangers have benefitted from the nation’s rise to eighth in the UEFA co-efficient table, however, this season’s poor European form may cost them in the future.
Expansion to UEFA’s flagship tournament will come into effect from 2024-25 and will see the number of countries who benefit from an automatic group stage entry cut to 10.
In UEFA’s new rules, the club with the highest co-efficient in the champions path will take the place of the 11th-ranked nation.
Scotland’s co-efficient ranking has taken a beating this campaign with Gers, Celtic and Hearts all suffering heavy defeats in Europe.
Serbia, Belgium and Austria are all chasing Scotland and will be trying to close the gap before the 2024-2025 season begins.
Still time.
There is still plenty of time for the Bears and other Scottish outfits to turn things around, the current gap to 11th-placed Serbia is just under five points.
Gers and other Scottish clubs do need to get some points under their belt, however, in European competition during the remainder of this season and next.
Again, financial investment in the squads comes into play, but you can’t really argue if teams from other struggling countries are outperforming you.
Europe has been humiliating this year for the Bears and something needs to drastically change to improve their fortunes in the UEFA Champions League.
You’d think after reaching the Europa League final the club could have kicked on and made the most out of the energy gained from the feat, nevertheless, they’ve taken what seems like ten steps back.
Maybe this new UEFA news will give the Scottish club’s hierarchy the kick they need to push their teams further up the European pecking order.
In other Rangers news, an official partner of the Gers has called on the board to sack van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson.