THE fans of Celtic and Rangers should both be hoping that their rivals perform well in Europe this week.
Now, I know there is less chance of that happening than Boris Johnson developing a sense of humility, or even just sense, but there is a good reason for me saying that the two halves of the Great Glasgow Divide should hope for each other’s success.
The only way that Scotland’s UEFA country coefficient – the one that determines how many of your nation’s clubs will play in European competition – will improve, is if both sides of the Old Firm continue to progress in the Europa League.
READ MORE: Scott Brown will jeopardise Celtic’s bid to win 10-In-A-Row if he makes a Scotland comeback
It’s a case how are the mighty fallen when you consider that Celtic and Rangers and later Aberdeen and Dundee United were genuine forces in Europe – had there been country coefficients in the 1960s and 1970s, Scotland would have been ranked 3rd in Europe in most seasons.
I can’t now see either of the Old Firm actually winning the trophy, given the quality of their likely opponents in the knockout stages, but we must hope that both teams go deep into the tournament, not least because in the country coefficient, we are just a sliver of a point behind Cyprus who are in the all-important 15th place – leapfrog them and Scotland will be rewarded with extra presence in Europe.
Celtic are already in the last 32 and a win against Rennes at Parkhead on Thursday night might see them confirmed as top of the group with a match to spare should Lazio beat Cluj in Rome on the same night.
Coming top of the group is important because it will give Celtic a better seeding for the next round when some big-name clubs will enter the competition.
It is going to be difficult for Rangers to top their group but it is far from impossible. They should concentrate absolutely on getting a result against Feyenoord on Thursday which would guarantee them going into the final group match at home to Young Boys knowing that a win at Ibrox would ensure qualification for the last 32.
If Rangers join Celtic in the last 32 and play after Christmas – for the first time since 2008 – it should mean our country coefficient will see Scotland be allocated an extra place in Europe next season, giving the two top teams the chance to make the Champions League group stages.
More importantly, UEFA are starting the Europa Conference League competition from season 2021-22 and the number of a country’s participants in the qualifying stages for the new third tier of European football will be decided by the country coefficient. That coefficient will be decided by the standings at the end of this season, so that’s another reason we need Celtic and Rangers to do well.
I won’t even try to explain what the Europa Conference League is all about and how it is being constructed but it will be probably the only chance that Scottish teams other than the Old Firm will ever get play in Europe.
So for the sake of Scottish football, Celtic and Rangers must make progress in this season’s Europa League.
As I say, I won’t be holding my breath waiting for a mutual backslapping session in Glasgow, but it’s time for everybody to get behind both teams as they face these final hurdles so they can get into the last 32 draw.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel