- Rangers have three matches of this season’s Scottish Premiership remaining
- As things stand, third placed Gers will enter Conference League
- Champions League spot up for grabs with club four adrift of second place
Rangers are all but out of the Premiership title race but it is still all to play for in the remaining three matches.
Due to the nature of this season, the European places are still yet to be decided.
There is also the Scottish Cup final on 23 May which means there will be a week-long wait for the positions to be confirmed.
However, Rangers have a part to play in what their European adventure will look like next season.
Rangers’ European entry will be up in the air if they finish in third
If the Premiership standings remain the same then it will be the Gers lowest league position since they last finished third in 2017/18.
This means that Rangers’ entry point into Europe will be the Conference League second qualifying round.
It will also be the first time in the club’s history they have entered Europe’s tertiary competition.
However, that will all change if Celtic win the Scottish Cup.
If Celtic finish first or second they will have entry into the Champions League, so instead will pass their position in the Europa League third qualifying round to the third placed team.
Therefore, finishing in third would leave Rangers’ European spot in limbo and will be a conundrum for a club who will have had a disappointing season.
Rangers can aim for Champions League with second spot in sight
As much as Hearts defeat left Rangers’ title dreams in tatters, it also meant the club failed to close the gap on Celtic, who are four points clear in second.
The Old Firm rivals are in the Champions League second qualifying round position.
However, being four points behind with nine games to go means that Rangers are still in the hunt to finish second.
And they can take a big step towards that by defeating Celtic in Sunday’s Old Firm clash.
European places will have an impact on pre-season schedule
If Rangers enter the Conference League, the first and second legs are slated for 23 and 30 July.
The third round of the Europa League qualifiers will take place on 6 August with return legs on 13 August.
Meanwhile, the first leg of the Champions League qualifiers will be held on 21/22 July with the return fixture on 28/29 July.
This will impact how Rangers prepare pre-season with the Champions League and Conference League qualifiers occurring in the build-up to next season’s kick-off on August 1.
However, if the Gers qualify for the Europa League it will mean a congested start to next season for Danny Rohl’s men with the first leg days after the season opener.
Read Rangers Analysis
Rangers still have it all to play for where European places are concerned.
Danny Rohl and his players have to ensure Rangers get the best route with a Champions League place still possible.
With three games remaining, the season is not over yet.
