Scotland’s elite struggle on the European stage, with a lack of success in recent years. The most recent highlight was Rangers making it to the 2021-22 Europa League final but falling short in a penalty shootout against Eintracht Frankfurt. Scottish teams have won European trophies three times in history, with Celtic, Rangers, and Aberdeen securing victories in the past.
In the current season, five Scottish teams entered European competitions, but only a few have progressed beyond the qualifying rounds. Rangers exited the Champions League after a defeat to Dynamo Kyiv, while Kilmarnock also failed to advance in the Europa League. St Mirren was knocked out of the UEFA Conference League after a loss to SK Brann.
The gap in quality between the Scottish Premiership and other European leagues makes it challenging for Scottish teams to compete consistently on the European stage. The new format of European competitions adds to the difficulty, with more matches to be played for teams to progress to the knockout stages. Rangers’ failure to qualify for the Champions League league phase has financial implications and affects Scotland’s UEFA coefficient.
Celtic leads the Scottish charge in European competitions this season, with hopes of collecting vital coefficient points. The odds of Scottish teams progressing to the later stages of their respective tournaments vary, with Celtic and Rangers having better chances compared to Hearts and Kilmarnock. Despite the challenges, Scottish teams are determined to defy the odds and make an impact in European football.