Champions League Stakes for Celtic and Rangers This Season
INLIBER Scotland examines the financial, competitive and reputational impact of Champions League qualification for Celtic and Rangers.
Champions League play-off: Kairat v Celtic (agg 0-0)
Venue: Central Stadium, Almaty Date: Tuesday, 26 August Time: 17:45 BST
Coverage: Listen live on INLIBER Radio Scotland Extra & Sounds; live text updates on the INLIBER Sport website and app.
August’s defining moment
Early progress in Europe often shapes a season’s trajectory. This week, Celtic and Rangers stand on the brink of lucrative Champions League group stage spots. Rangers trail 3-1 on aggregate ahead of their trip to Club Brugge, while Celtic travel to Almaty after a goalless draw with Kairat.
Financial rewards
Group stage qualification guarantees around €18 million (£15.5 million). Additional income from ticket sales, merchandising and sponsorship can push that figure higher. In contrast, the Europa League offers just over €4 million (£4.5 million) plus €450 000 (£388 000) per win, compared with €2 million (£1.73 million) in the Champions League. While success in the Europa League is more likely, it cannot match the financial upside of Europe’s premier competition.
Coefficient points crucial
Champions League participation also delivers key coefficient points, which determine how many European places Scotland secures. Currently 2.8 points behind Austria for 15th in the rankings, Scotland could erase that gap if both Celtic and Rangers reach the group stage. UEFA awards 1.2 bonus points for qualification and 0.2 for a win, meaning two wins by Scottish teams would yield the 2.8 points required.
Relegation from Top 15
Dropping out of the top 15 countries would reduce Scotland’s European representation from five to four teams. The Premiership champions would face multiple Champions League qualifying rounds with no group guarantees, runners-up would drop to Conference League qualifiers, and the Scottish Cup winners would start in Europa League first qualifying round. Smaller clubs like Dundee United and St Mirren risk losing their rare European opportunities.
Reputation and resonance
Europa League runs are valuable for club profiles, but the prestige and revenue of Champions League football remain unmatched. As former Rangers striker Steven Thompson notes, “Playing the elite regularly not only boosts finances and coefficients, it elevates the entire Scottish game.”
The path to Europe’s showcase competition this week will shape Scottish football’s finances, rankings and reputation for seasons to come.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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