It's been 23 years since Kilmarnock progressed in a European tie.
But they've finally done it again and their 3-2 aggregate win over Tromso could set up a Scottish football first that would seriously boost our dwindling coefficient hopes. Joe Wright's header have Derek McInnes' men an all-important 1-0 win the Arctic Circle, to set up a Europa Conference League playoff encounter with either Banik Ostrava or FC Copenhagen. The result in Norway leaves them just 180 minutes away from the revamped league phase of the competition.
The victory adds 0.2 to the national coefficient, which has taken a battering in recent years, resulting in the loss of our only automatic Champions League group spot from next season. However, there is now the prospect of FOUR Scottish sides paying group stage (in old money) football for the first time ever.
Celtic are in the Champions League while Rangers drop into the Europa League after their midweek defeat to Dynamo Kyiv. Hearts have a playoff round clash against Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen to negotiate in order to reach the same stage as Gers. But even if they fail, they are guaranteed a spot in the Conference League phase.
Scotland are currently 17th in the rankings table and need to get back into the top ten. A win over Norwegian opposition helps, but victories in the qualifying rounds aren't worth much.
However, if Killie and Hearts can get it done, then that means 32 guaranteed European games this season, with the chance to vastly improve the ranking between now and Christmas. Rangers would have received a bonus point for reaching the Champions League, which aren't on offer for the Europa or Conference Leagues, and is the equivalent of winning three group games in those competitions.
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