Hibs join Rangers in dealing coefficient hammerblow to Swiss hopefuls as clean sweep ends UEFA rankings surge

Hibs did what Rangers achieved in midweek and saw off Swiss opposition in cool fashion.

It was glory on the night in Luzern for Lee Johnson and co but when the dust settles on progression in the Europa Conference League and the realisation of a glamour tie with John McGinn and Aston Villa in the waiting the Hibees will realise that they have once again boosted the coefficient rankings. It comes after Michael Beale and Rangers got one over fellow Swiss opponents Servette with a draw on the night sealing progression on aggregate in Champions League qualifying.

Scotland, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey and Serbia are currently locking horns to slot in to places ninth to 12th in the UEFA coefficient rankings, and two massive double-legged showings from the Hibees and Rangers have dealt another blow to their foes. Coefficient points for a nation is calculated by the average points obtained. This works by dividing the total points a team accumulates by how many clubs represent them in European competition. Each victory is worth two coefficient points, with draws earning one point.

Switzerland came into the double header breathing down the necks of Scotland sitting at 11th in the coefficient table – have 0.4 points already this season thanks to Servette and have cut the gap on Scotland to 1.4 points. Just 3.5 points were collected last term by Scottish clubs – but Rangers and Hibs had a chance to dent their hopes of moving into the top 10.

As it stands - with Hearts also progressing to the Conference League playoff rounds after a 3-1 win over Rosenborg (4-3 on aggregate) - Scottish clubs having managed 0.8 points so far this season. All five clubs remain in European competition with Aberdeen set for a Europa League playoff date