Celtic can end Rangers’ five-year UEFA advantage by finishing job against LASK

Celtic can wipe out Rangers’ five-year UEFA coefficient advantage by finishing the job against LASK next week.

Martin O’Neill’s side have one foot in the Champions League league phase after a commanding 3-0 first-leg victory at Celtic Park, but qualification would bring another significant boost.

Scotland’s Coefficient has highlighted that Celtic would move above Rangers in UEFA’s five-year club ranking if they protect their three-goal advantage in Austria.

Celtic currently sit on 41.000 coefficient points, narrowly behind Rangers on 42.750.

However, Champions League qualification guarantees clubs a minimum coefficient of 6.000 points for the season.

Celtic’s existing five-year total already includes the 3.000-point minimum for the current campaign, meaning reaching the league phase would immediately add another three points and lift their overall total to 44.000.

That would put Celtic 1.250 points above Rangers before O’Neill’s side have even kicked a ball in the league phase.

It would add further frustration to a miserable European campaign for Rangers, who have already been eliminated from both the Champions League and Europa League before the end of August.

Celtic have not finished a season above their rivals in UEFA’s five-year ranking since 2020/21, when they ended the campaign 46th on 34.000 points, with Rangers 52nd on 31.250.

Rangers have held the advantage ever since, but that could finally change in Austria.

There is also a longer-term benefit for Celtic. UEFA uses the five-year club coefficient to determine seeding in its competitions, meaning every climb up the rankings can improve their position in future European draws.

O’Neill’s side have a three-goal cushion to defend against LASK.

Finish the job and Celtic will not only secure their place among Europe’s elite — they will also erase Rangers’ five-year advantage in UEFA’s club ranking.