Celtic and Rangers go coefficient chasing as Champions League permanent residency looms

Russia's continued ostracisation from European club football is set to have ramifications that could see Scotland pull further away in the UEFA country coefficient table.

The work of Rangers and Celtic in the Europa League in recent seasons has seen the country soar up the rankings, which teed up this season's title winners gaining an automatic group stage slot in next season's Champions League.

Originally the slot could have been taken off them had this term's winners not qualified for football's richest tournament again through their league – and Villarreal could have been a threat in that regard.

But as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, their teams were frozen out by UEFA for next season on Monday and so the Villarreal scenario is no longer in play.

And the decision will impact the country coefficients with Russia the nation directly behind Scotland, who are currently ninth.

Here's what UEFA have had to say: "Russia will have no affiliated clubs participating in UEFA club competitions in the 2022/23 season. Consequently, the respective access lists of the men’s and women’s club competitions have been rebalanced in accordance with the principles set out in the relevant competition regulations.

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