After Uefa slapped sanctions on Russia in the midst of their invasion of Ukraine, the champions of this season’s Scottish Premiership will be guaranteed a spot in next season’s Champions League group stage.
Russian clubs will be barred from competing in all Uefa events in the coming season as a result of the expanded sanctions.
As a result, Scotland’s champions have been assigned to a Champions League group.
In addition, the Premier League runners-up are assured a spot in the Europa League group stage in 2022-23.
Celtic are expected to be the benefactors of a Champions League spot, with Ange Postecoglou’s league leaders six points and a large goal difference ahead of rivals Rangers as the season enters its final three league games.
Rangers will join the Champions League third qualifying round if they finish second. If they do not advance from that round or the play-off round, they will be relegated to the Europa League group stage.
Due to Uefa’s sanctions against Russia, Scotland will have three teams in European group stage competition for the first time since 2007, with Hearts being guaranteed at least a Europa Conference League spot.
Robbie Neilson’s team will meet Rangers in the Scottish Cup final later this month, and they have already secured third place in the Premiership.
Dundee United, Ross County, and Motherwell are all vying for the two Europa League qualification spots available in the Premiership.
United are fourth, while County are fifth, putting them in position to compete in Europe. However, with three games remaining, well are only a point behind County.
Celtic inched closer to a 52nd Scottish title
Ange Postecoglou’s team maintains a six-point lead over the Premiership holders with three games remaining and an an insurmountable 19-goal margin.
Celtic held off early Ranger’s pressure and took the lead thanks to Jota’s close-range strike.
Fashion Sakala fired them level with the visitors on their feet, extending the title chase.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst admitted before the game that it was a must-win game for his Rangers team, who are in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against RB Leipzig.
Postecoglou’s team is now unbeaten in 29 league games since September, and they just need three points from their three remaining games – at home to Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell, and away to Dundee United – to formally claim Celtic’s tenth title in 11 years.
