Celtic spark Scotland coefficient surge as Champions League prize money bounty soars

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Celtic’s stunning win over RB Leipzig moved them closer to smashing through the £40MILLION Champions League prize money barrier – as the victory also launched Scottish football up the coefficient table.The Hoops came from behind to dump the Germans 3-1 at Parkhead on an electric European night under the lights in the east end of Glasgow and the benefits are multiple as Scotland jumped above Greece, Denmark AND Switzerland thanks to the 0.4 points earned with the sensational triumph against the team sitting second in the Bundesliga.Crucially, it means Scotland – who soared from 17th position to 13th – are now sitting pretty with the top 15 nations in the coefficient table earning two spots for the 2026/27 Champions League.

Norway and Austria are directly above them but now within touching distance.Celtic’s Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers and Hearts will have the chance to boost that further on Thursday night - the Light Blues take on Olympiacos in the Europa League and the Jambos also up against a Bundesliga side in Heidenheim in the Conference League.

But when it comes to cash from the continental competition the Hoops are in a league of their own.Celtic – who received £15.7m just from qualifying – banked another £1.77m from the league phase victory which takes them to £30m from prize money alone, not taking ticket sales into account.

And that is only going to increase with four games left and they are also well on course for staying in the competition. Celtic sit on seven points after four games with 10 points almost certain to ensure progression.Brendan Rodgers’ men sit 13th in the 36-team table - with the top 24 staying in the competition - and the performance related payment also pays out based on the final