Glasgow Rangers’ run to the last 16 of the Europa League has earned Scotland a second Champions League berth from next season, much to the delight of many of the Ibrox faithful.
ESPN journalist Dale Johnson confirmed on Twitter (via @DaleJohnsonESPN) that the Light Blues’ European run, combined with Celtic getting to the last 32 of the competition, means that Scotland are guaranteed to be in the top 15 of UEFA’s association club coefficient for next season, thereby gaining an extra Champions League spot.
CONFIRMED: Scotland will have two places in the Champions League in 2021-22.
Scotland now guaranteed to be in the top 15 nations in the final UEFA coefficient.
So the champions and the runners up in the Premiership this 2020-21 season will qualify for the UCL in 2021-22.
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) August 6, 2020
As per BBC, there is also a strong chance that Scotland will remain in 14th place ahead of Switzerland, which would mean that the Premiership champions will have one fewer qualifying round to negotiate next summer.
The ‘Gers have not been in the Champions League proper since 2010/11, while their last appearance in the qualifying rounds of the competition came nine years ago. Indeed, their run to the last 16 of the Europa League this year was their best performance on the continent since 2011 and came just three years after a shock exit to Luxembourg’s Progres Niederkorn in the first qualifying round. [via TransferMarkt]
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These ‘Gers fans on Twitter revelled in their team’s fine European run helping to gain Scotland an extra Champions League berth, with one supporter lauding a “great achievement from Steven Gerrard” in progressing so far in the Europa League in 2019/20:
You're welcome Scottish football https://t.co/M75xDMGVCO
— Kieran (@KMCL96) August 6, 2020
Obviously has to win something this year but this is a great achievement by Steven Gerrard.
Considering we got knocked out in Q1 by Progres the year before, the last 2 Europa runs have been superb. https://t.co/CiOLetpMeN
— john (@JStoo294) August 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/graememax/status/1291646556035219456
https://twitter.com/buythemanapint/status/1291651051075117056
https://twitter.com/rybrownx/status/1291669407656280069
https://twitter.com/TheFamousBears/status/1291664661704839174
Well done SG and the Rangers
— GordyA🇬🇧🏴🏇 (@Gordygfl) August 6, 2020
Thank you Rangers 💙
— Ryan Cormack (@ryancormack1) August 7, 2020
‘Gers fans, how big a boost is it for Scottish football to have two Champions League places from next year? Comment below with your views!
