An enormous week for Scottish football



As we embark upon the play off stage of both the Europa League and Europa Conference Leagues, four Scottish teams are attempting to reach the group stage of the afore mentioned competitions. 

The Old Firm, Celtic and Rangers, are in the Europa League play offs. Celtic kick off their tie against AZ Alkmaar at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening whereas Rangers play on Thursday night at Ibrox, with Armenian side Alashkert the visitors. Both the Glasgow sides are guaranteed European group stage football, regardless of their Europa League play off results. Defeat in their current ties would cause Celtic and Rangers to drop, automatically, into the group stages of the newly formed Europa Conference League. 


This is the competition St. Johnstone and Aberdeen are attempting to qualify for. The Cup double winners of 20/21 play Swiss side LASK with the first leg of the Europa Conference League play off taking place at six o’clock on Thursday evening in Linz. The Perth club have never played in the group stages of a major European competition. If Callum Davidson could help his side do so, he could arguably become the greatest St. Johnstone manager in the club’s history if he is not already. 


Aberdeen have defeated Hacken and Breidablik on their road to the current stage of the Europa Conference League. Azerbaijani side Qarabag stand between the Dons and a place in the group stage of the competition. The first leg of this tie will see Aberdeen make the eighteen hour (approximately) round trip to Azerbaijan. With the first leg being away for both Aberdeen and St. Johnstone combined with the absence of away goals, they debatably have a slight advantage. 


For Celtic and Rangers, European group stage football has become a constant in recent years. The last time Celtic failed to qualify for the group stage of a European tournament was in the 2010/11 season. This means the Hoops have been in Europe for the past ten years, this will be extended to eleven this season, a prodigious record. 

Since their emergence from the lower leagues of Scottish football, Rangers have enjoyed three consecutive seasons in the Europa League group stages. These came in the 18/19, 19/20 and 20/21 campaigns where the Gers reached the last 16 twice. In the current season, Steven Gerrard’s men are competing for a place in the Europa League group stages after a disheartening 4-2 aggregate loss to Swedish side Malmö. 


As we spoke of previously, St. Johnstone have yet to qualify for the group stages of a major European competition. Doing so this season could further extend one of the club’s most triumphant periods. Aberdeen, on the other hand, are looking to end their fourteen year wait for European group stage football. They last made the group stage of the UEFA Cup in the 2007/08 season. Having three, or possibly even four Scottish teams in the group stages of European football would be a historic achievement. The last time this occurred was in the 2007/08 campaign when Aberdeen were in the UEFA Cup group stages as well as Celtic and Rangers who made the group stages of the Champions League.


If Aberdeen and St. Johnstone taste victory their two ties, we will have more Scottish teams in European group stage football in the same season than ever before. The remunerative rewards such achievements bring could be massive for the likes of St. Johnstone and Aberdeen, especially with the ongoing pandemic. Training Facilities, youth academies and staff are just a few properties of the football clubs that could be invested in due to the prize money and TV funds European group stage football brings. Not to mention the match day revenue; St. Johnstone and Aberdeen enjoyed close to full houses for their previous European ties. Having three or four Scottish teams competing in Europe will also succour in boosting the country’s co-efficient which, in turn, benefits the national team. In terms of in Europe, St. Johnstone and Aberdeen qualifying can really help to put Scotland on the map footballing wise. 


It is undoubtedly a colossal and potentially momentous seven days for Scottish football ahead. I’m optimistic at least one of the teams outside the Old Firm will prevail in their ties. Let’s hope the Scottish sides do us proud starting with Celtic on Wednesday. 


Once again, thank you for reading my blog and this article. If you have any thoughts, comment down below or contact and follow me on Twitter @Josh_Footblog. 

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