Rangers and Celtic set for long term Champions League boost as another coefficient rival on the brink

Rangers' stunning Europa League victory over Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night further consolidated Scotland's spot as one of Europe's top ten nations in the coefficient rankings.

But it was also a night that could have major ramifications for our teams' future Champions League hopes as it was a disastrous one for rivals Serbia.

Gio van Bronckhorst and his team ran out rampant winners at Ibrox and, provided they avoid a three-goal collapse in Serbia, look set to eliminate Red Star.

In the Conference League, meanwhile, Partizan Belgrade lost 5-2 to Feyenoord - meaning Serbia's only two representatives are on the brink of crashing out.

Scotland are currently ninth in the coefficient table on 35.300 points, and tenth-placed Russia are currently disqualified due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

Serbia are in 11th on 32.875, and look as if they will be unable to eat into that gap this season.

Being in Europe's top ten has added further significance to the title race between Celtic and Rangers as it means the Scottish Premiership winners go straight into the Champions League group stage.

Should Scotland finish in the top ten this season then that would be secure for both 2022/23 and 2023/24.

8. Austria (38.450)

9. Scotland (35.300)

10. Russia* (34.482)

11. Serbia (32.875)

12. Ukraine (31.800)

*Russian teams currently suspended by UEFA

Looking further forward, the coefficient table calculates points from the last five seasons inclusive - so Scotland's disastrous 2017/18 season, in which Rangers lost to Progres and Celtic won just one of their six Champions League games will no longer count towards the total from next season onwards.

That means the 4.000 points Scotland earned that season will be replaced by whatever