Celtic see automatic Champions League spot disappear as Rangers backdoor route remains open
dailyrecord.co.ukThe Scottish Premiership winners WON'T automatically qualify for the group stage of the 2025/26 Champions League after Scotland dropped out of the UEFA coefficient rankings top 10.The Czech Republic have overtaken us thanks to Viktoria Plzen's 0-0 draw with Fiorentina in the first leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final clash.
The Czech outfit knew beforehand that a draw in either leg was enough to see their nation leapfrog the Scots in the standings.Celtic finished bottom of their Champions League group, although did manage to get some points on the board thanks to a draw with Atletico Madrid and a last day victory over feyenoord at Celtic Park.
But Scotland's hopes rested with Rangers after Philippe Clement's side recorded a stunning 3-2 away win at Real Betis to top their Europa League group and book their spot in the last 16.
A 2-2 draw in Lisbon offered hope that Scotland would still have a representative in European competition to keep the Czech challenge at bay.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk
