Scottish football is being served a stark warning over its future in Europe, with both Rangers and Celtic facing mounting concern about their Champions League prospects — even as Brendan Rodgers is once again being tipped for a return to the English Premier League.
European Wake-Up Call for the Old Firm
A recent coefficient “wake-up call” has highlighted just how precarious the situation is for Scottish clubs on the continental stage. The Scottish Premiership no longer guarantees automatic group stage access to the Champions League, and poor results could further imperil the country’s standing.
- If Scottish teams continue to underperform, there is a real risk of losing vital European berths.
- For Rangers, the pressure is additionally financial: pundits warn the club is edging close to violating UEFA’s financial regulations, potentially inviting fines, restrictions or even a European ban.
Rodgers Under Fire
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers—the Celtic manager—has come under sharp criticism, with some accusing him of using his current struggles to position himself for a Premier League comeback.
- Ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd claimed Rodgers is “getting away with everything” at Celtic, suggesting that poor performances are being excused while he plots his next move.
- At the same time, Rodgers has defended his team’s Champions League exit, calling it “hugely disappointing” and admitting Celtic didn’t quite match the precision needed at that level.
Mixed Messages on European Strategy
Rodgers insists his approach to the Champions League won’t change, despite the scale of recent failures.
However, he has also acknowledged that Celtic need more quality, especially in the transfer market — a point he highlighted after the club was eliminated from Europe.
And while fans hope for a return to the top European competition, Rodgers himself has cautioned that for now, Celtic must “forget about the Champions League” and focus on rebuilding.
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