- Shakhtar Donetsk are closing in on Rangers in coefficient rankings
- The Ukrainians face Crystal Palace in the Conference League semis
- Rangers must win Scottish Premiership to achieve qualification
Rangers’ hopes of automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League next season are at risk due to Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Ukrainian Premier League club progressed past AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League quarter-finals to set up a semi-final clash with Crystal Palace.
Danny Rohl’s men have slipped down to 38th in the table while Donetsk are six places behind in 44th.
Crystal Palace could potentially hold Rangers’ fate in their hands
Shakhtar Donetsk’s progression means they added 1.500 points which increased their total to 56.925.
Rangers’ current total, thanks to their exploits in Europe over the last five years, is 59.925 and the only way the Ukrainian club can eclipse that number is by reaching the Conference League final.
However, in their way are Crystal Palace, who led by Oliver Glasner have reached the first European semi-final in their history.
If the Eagles are to do Rangers a favour by protecting their ranking in the coefficient table then the Ibrox side must hold their end of the bargain by winning the Scottish Premiership title.
The benefit of Rangers’ European performances in recent seasons
Although the winners of this year’s Scottish Premiership are guaranteed a Champions League play-off place, for Rangers that is not the case.
Despite the club’s poor showing in this season’s Europa League, their performances over the last five years, including their run to the Europa League final in 2022 means their coefficient is strong.
That means that if Rohl’s men win the title, a spot will be reserved for them as one of the domestic champions who have the highest five-year ranking.
And this news should be further incentive for Rangers heading into the last five league matches to bring silverware back to Ibrox.
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What this highlights is how Rangers’ European adventures can impact their domestic campaign.
And as Shakhtar Donetsk make their move on the club’s ranking, it means, thanks in no small part to their disastrous results in Europe this season, their position is vulnerable and is now reliant on another team.
All this does is add to the stakes that face Rangers over the next five matches starting at home to Motherwell next weekend.
The fact that an automatic place in European football’s most prestigious competition is on the line should give the players extra motivation ahead of a make or break end to the season.
