Rangers, Celtic and Hearts in creeping coefficient concern as Champions League points strife laid bare

Scottish sides have endured a tough season in Europe so far this term with the countries coefficient advantage being slashed during a disappointing campaign.

Celtic slumped to defeat to RB Leipzig to drop to the bottom of their Champions League group, while Rangers defeat in Liverpool left Gio van Bronckhorst's men without a point or a goal in Group A. Hearts have notched the only win so far in the group stage victory so far this term in the Conference League victory when they saw off FS Riga, but concerns are growing over the impact on Scotland's coefficient score.

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 of them are represented in European competition. Each victory is worth two coefficient points, with draws earning one point. Scotland’s total for this season currently stands at 2.90, with the the four bonus points earned by Celtic and Rangers for reaching the Champions League group stages taking up the majority of that figure.

The Scottish Premiership champions have secured one draw after matchday three to add to the tally. Hearts can also add to that tally during their encounter with Serie A giants Fiorentina under the Tynecastle lights.

Scotland sit in eighth in the UEFA rankings through averaging close to nine points from the following three campaigns. That has secured the Scottish Premiership champions a direct route into the Champions League group stage this season, which will carry on to the 2023/24 campaign.

However, there are concerns after a stuttering start to the group stage that a resurgent Belgium and Austria could overtake Scotland this term, with Club Brugge and RB Salzburg leading the