Rangers jump ahead of Celtic in co-efficient calculations as Midtjylland exit gives Hoops mountain to climb
RANGERS are on course to leapfrog Celtic in the Uefa co-efficient rankings after the Hoops' Champions League exit to Midtjylland.
You may recall that the Ibrox side were closing in on the Hoops in Uefa's five-year co-efficient lists when last season came to an end.
But defeat to Slavia Prague in the Europa League last 16 saw the Ibrox men end the season 52nd in the continental rankings with a score of 31.25.
That was still 2.75 points behind Celtic's tally of 34.00 in 46th spot.
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The winners of this season's Scottish Premiership are guaranteed direct entry to the Champions League group stages regardless.
But another side effect of Celtic's setback in Denmark last night is that the Hoops face may have to come to terms with losing their continental supremacy over the Gers for the first time in years.
Celtic still have a cushion when it comes to the ten-year co-efficient which has become quietly crucial in doling out Champions League cash in the current cycle.
But when it comes to their more recent history, the Hoops are now starting to lag behind their city rivals.
As live calculations begin with a view to working out 2022-23 co-efficient placings, they are ALREADY behind Rangers.
That is because the 7.00 coefficient points they earned in Brendan Rodgers' invincible domestic season of 2016-17 drop off the board.
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By contrast Rangers had just won their way back to the Premiership that season and so didn't appear in European football - and consequently have no points to lose.
So in the live lists, the Gers are now up to 40TH in the continent, while Celtic - now on 27.00pts - drop to FIFTIETH.
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Both sides, of course, still have all season to accumulate points to go towards their 2022-23 tallies.
With back-to-back scores of 15 points and 11 points, Rangers have managed to rack up decent tallies whilst playing in the Europa League.
But Ange Postecoglou will have to go some if he is to rack up 4.5 more points than Steven Gerrard to maintain Celtic's continental supremacy in the remainder of this campaign - particularly if Rangers make the Champions League group stages.
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