Champions League blow for Scots

19 February 2010 11:04
Thursday night's Europa League results for Belgian clubs saw them overtake Scotland into 15th spot in UEFA's co-efficient ranking table.[LNB]A fall to 16th also means the 2010-11 SPL champions will not qualify automatically for the following season's Champions League group stage.[LNB]They will instead have to navigate three qualifying rounds, though all matches will be against champions from smaller European nations rather than runners-up or third and fourth-placed sides from larger countries.[LNB]But the loss of a Champions League spot is potentially a huge blow to the Old Firm, who published their half-yearly accounts this week in which the difference between reaching the group stage and failing to do so was laid bare.[LNB]Next season will see both the SPL winners and runners-up in the Champions League, with the runners-up facing two qualifying rounds, the second of which could be against one of the giants of the European game.[LNB]An SPL spokesman said: "Our clubs are sorted for next season. It's for the season after that that Belgium are now above us."[LNB][LNB] Champions League. Click here to bet.  

Source: Team_Talk