The Champions League subplot as Rangers and Hibs face coefficient shootout with rising Switzerland challengers

Rangers and Hibs could have a major say in the pathway for Scottish clubs in European competitions with Switzerland rapidly rising up the UEFA rankings.

Celtic have enjoyed the luxury of entering the group stage of the competition last season as well as this term, and with a new format to be ushered in for the 2024/25 campaign the Scottish Premiership title winners will hope to fly the saltires in the group stage once again in the revamped 36-team format. Michael Beale's side are looking to join their city rivals of course and rub shoulders with Europe's elite – but will first need to see off Servette and then their playoff opponents.

Aberdeen are guaranteed Conference League football at least but Barry Robson will have ambitions of the Europa League group stage. Hearts and Hibs will both aim to reach the Conference League proper – despite Lee Johnson's side getting off to a rocky start with a 2-1 defeat to Inter d'Escaldes in the first leg of their qualifier.

It's results such as defeat to the Andorran minnows Scottish football can ill afford with a race to the top 10 in UEFA's coefficient rankings heating up. Swiss sides Servette and FC Luzern are set to have a big say in where the nation ranks. Scotland, Switzerland, Austria and Serbia will battle it out for places from ninth to 12th which give varying different degrees of rewards.

A ninth place coefficient ranking – where Scotland currently sit – will dish out a minimum of one Champions League group stage spot and up to three group stage spots across the top Euro competition, Europa League and Conference League. Tenth and 11th place means a country will have an automatic Champions League and Europa League group stage place while the nation that finishes 12th will