Scottish football will have five European spots up for grabs this season thanks to the efforts from the likes of Aberdeen, Celtic, Rangers and Motherwell in recent seasons.
In this season’s Europa League, both Celtic and Rangers have made the group stage of the competition. Aberdeen and Motherwell did well too, making the third round qualifiers before defeats to Sporting Lisbon and Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
The likes of Aberdeen and Rangers have been solid in Europe. (Photo by Pedro Fiúza/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
It’s resulted in the coefficient point tally increasing and the Premiership having more European spaces to hand out. Instead of four spots, Scottish football will now have five from next season.
First and second place will both get Champions League access next term via the third and second round qualifiers. For teams in third, fourth and the Scottish Cup winner’s, there is also big reward.
The winner of the Scottish Cup will get a spot in the third round of Europa League qualifying whilst the teams finishing third and fourth in the Premiership this season will compete in the newly created UEFA Europa Conference League from the second qualifying round.
More European spots due to the success of teams like Motherwell and Rangers. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
It’s a big boost for the Scottish game as teams start to progress further into their respective competitions consistently.