Rangers learn European fate as Celtic Scottish Cup final victory unlocks key to UEFA 'trickle down' effect
The Hampden showdown had huge implications for Rangers
Rangers will enter the qualification rounds of the Europa League next season as Celtic’s 3-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic has sealed their European fate.
Having finished third place in the Premiership, Danny Rohl’s side were originally set to enter the Conference League at the second qualifying stage, but will now enter the Europa League at the third qualification round, as their bitter rivals have done them a favour.
Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels and Kelechi Iheanacho struck for the Hoops at Hampden before Dunfermline’s Josh Cooper bagged a consolation goal. While watching their bitter rivals lift a trophy is normally a torturous experience for Rangers fans, in this particular instance, there is a silver lining.
Rangers enter Europa League stage through ‘trickle down’ effect
Having already secured the Premiership title last weekend, Celtic will already enter Europe at the Champions League play-off stage. Now that they’ve won the domestic double, the normal European spot for the Scottish Cup winners has trickled down to third place in the league. As Rangers now earn this spot, a positive result in their two-legged European opener would guarantee them at the very least Conference League football next season.
The result also benefits fifth placed Hibs, who thought their European dream was over after their final day defeat to Motherwell. However, they will now enter the Conference League at the second qualifying round due to Celtic’s win. Despite being runners-up, Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline will not be involved in Europe next season.
Hearts agonisingly lost out to the Hoops on the final day despite being minutes from a historic league title win. However, in securing second place they made the Champions League places for the first time in 20 years. They are unaffected by Celtic’s double win as well as fourth placed Motherwell, who will go through Conference League qualification.
Danny Rohl plans rebuild for next season
The Europa League is a competition that has been kind to Rangers over the past few years, however last season it was disaster, as they finished 32nd of 36 in the League phase. Manager Rohl has now indicated that a rebuild is required over the summer to get the squad to where he wants them to be. The club will be without captain James Tavernier next season as his 11-year spell at the club has now come to an end.
He said: "The most important thing is it is what I have said many times, we have to take all the information and what we need into the new season. We need new leaders, more leaders for the dressing room, to set our standards that we want on the training pitch, in difficult moments in the game. I think this is crucial. This is a great opportunity to work on this.
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