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1. There seems to be a mistaken belief doing the rounds that next season's SPFL winner will have an automatic Champions League group place in 22/23.
As of yet it's an unknown. It might happen, it might not. If it does, it probably won't be confirmed until the end of next season.
As of yet it's an unknown. It might happen, it might not. If it does, it probably won't be confirmed until the end of next season.
2. Currently, Scotland are 11th in the rankings, as shown in the table. 10th is the position at which a country gets an automatic CL group place.
But if the CL title holder has also qualified for the CL groups via their league then they have, in effect, qualified twice.
But if the CL title holder has also qualified for the CL groups via their league then they have, in effect, qualified twice.
3. This leaves an unused place, which is given to the champion of the 11th ranked nation.
I can't think of a year in which this didn't happen, so 11th would more than likely be enough for an automatic group place. But we'd have to wait until the end of next season to be certain.
I can't think of a year in which this didn't happen, so 11th would more than likely be enough for an automatic group place. But we'd have to wait until the end of next season to be certain.
4. As shown above Scotland are currently 3.7pts behind Austria for 10th spot.
To catch them Rangers would need to rack up pts equivalent to another 6/7 EL wins - so reach the SF at least. Even that only works if the 2 Austrian clubs still in the EL don't pick up more points.
To catch them Rangers would need to rack up pts equivalent to another 6/7 EL wins - so reach the SF at least. Even that only works if the 2 Austrian clubs still in the EL don't pick up more points.
5. It's more likely that it comes down to the battle for 11th with Ukraine. Scotland are 0.425pts ahead at present - the equivalent of 1 win and 1 draw for Ukraine.
Ukraine has 2 teams left in the EL, though. Shakhtar play Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Kyiv play Club Brugge.
Ukraine has 2 teams left in the EL, though. Shakhtar play Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Kyiv play Club Brugge.
6. Scotland has an advantage in that a win or draw is worth more to our coefficient than it is to Ukraine - as we had only 4 clubs in europe this season, while they had 5.
So a win is worth 0.5pts to Scotland, but only 0.4pts to Ukraine. It all helps.
So a win is worth 0.5pts to Scotland, but only 0.4pts to Ukraine. It all helps.
7. If Scotland do finish 11th this season it will make next season's SPFL the most important in a long time.
With it being more than likely (but not guaranteed) that the winner will get a CL group place the winner could be in line for tens of £millions.
With it being more than likely (but not guaranteed) that the winner will get a CL group place the winner could be in line for tens of £millions.
8. From a Celtic POV it's bad enough seeing the mess we've made of this season without considering the longer term impact.
A complete overhaul of players and management is not ideal preparation for what could be an vital season. But that seems to be where we're heading.
A complete overhaul of players and management is not ideal preparation for what could be an vital season. But that seems to be where we're heading.
9. In summary,
- the only way we can guarantee next season's SPFL champion a CL group spot in 22/23 is by finishing 10th in the rankings this season.
- finish 11th and we'd need to wait and see who wins next season's CL.
- finish 12th and it's 1 round of qualifying
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- the only way we can guarantee next season's SPFL champion a CL group spot in 22/23 is by finishing 10th in the rankings this season.
- finish 11th and we'd need to wait and see who wins next season's CL.
- finish 12th and it's 1 round of qualifying
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