Rangers: Celtic fans will rage despite Benfica win at Ibrox as UEFA development emerges
Rangers must now focus on the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup after they were knocked out of the Europa League.
Benfica ended Rangers’ adventure in the competition, with the Portuguese giants securing a 1-0 win at Ibrox on Thursday (14 March).
That victory on the road came after the two clubs played out a last 16 first-leg thriller in Portugal, which ended 2-2.
Rangers fans will be heartbroken after the defeat, but supporters of their fierce rivals Celtic will be overjoyed at the misery on the other side of Glasgow.
But at the same time, Bhoys fans will rage at the result given what it means for the UEFA coefficient ranking spots.
Celtic fans will be angry despite Benfica beating Rangers at Ibrox
As per Sky Sports, Scotland are in a battle for the tenth and final place that guarantees next season’s Scottish Premiership winner an automatic Champions League spot.
The country is now at risk of being overtaken by the Czech Republic in the rankings, who are still represented in European competition this season via Viktoria Plzen in the Europa Conference League.
A draw for the Czech outfit in either leg of their upcoming quarter-final meeting with Serie A side Fiorentina would see Scotland fall to 11th in the rankings, meaning next season’s Scottish Premiership winner would have to play a qualification round to make it into the Champions League.
The club in second place meanwhile would have to make it through three qualifiers just to get to the group stages of Europe’s elite club competition.
There is, of course, a fierce battle ongoing between the Old Firm clubs in this season’s Scottish Premiership, with the Gers currently leading the way by two points.
But both Glasgow giants will already have one eye on the next campaign given the precarious situation involving Champions League football, which is massive for both in terms of finances and indeed reputation.
In other Rangers news, one manager has gotten it wrong with a Gers ace as an international decision is made.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.