Are Scots Underestimating Their Football or Is Europe Really That Troubling?

Recent European Struggles

When Shakhtar Donetsk rallied to defeat Aberdeen on a recent Thursday, it was reminiscent of the popular “Won’t somebody please think of the coefficient!” meme among Scottish football enthusiasts.

Sadly, it’s been a tough week for the Scottish clubs involved in European competitions. Celtic succumbed to Sporting Braga, Rangers faced defeat against Sturm Graz, and Aberdeen allowed Shakhtar Donetsk to come back from behind in their game.

This latest round of disappointing results has once again highlighted the struggles of Scottish football on the European stage, especially as all three teams found themselves in lower-tier competitions that they have not typically participated in.

Both Celtic and Rangers still seek their first win in the Europa League this season and continue to indicate that they lag behind the level required for the Champions League. Meanwhile, Aberdeen did show a bit of promise despite their narrow 3-2 loss in their inaugural Conference League match against Shakhtar.

As Storm Amy unleashes its fury, the question arises: Are the concerns surrounding Scottish football merely a trivial matter or are they indicative of a deeper malaise affecting the continent?

A Broader Perspective on Scottish Football

On the same evening that Roma suffered an unexpected home loss to Lille with three penalty saves, Scottish football’s representatives didn’t attract much attention across Europe.

Celtic’s recent defeat to Braga, especially with a contentious disallowed goal, likely raised eyebrows among analysts observing from abroad. German commentator Derek Rae noted that many in Europe are captivated by the unique “tradition and atmosphere” associated with Scottish football clubs.

However, it may have surprised some viewers to see a less-than-full Celtic Park during the match, given the current fan protests that have garnered attention. For many, Celtic’s historic stronghold in Glasgow symbolizes resilience that seems to be fading.

“When conversing with my counterparts in Germany, they are filled with admiration when visiting grounds like Celtic or Rangers,” shared Rae. “There is a strong sentiment that Scotland still embodies real football culture. However, there is a noticeable decline in performance in recent years.”

Are We Too Critical of Our Game?

Following the second matchday in the Europa League, Celtic stands at 28th, while Rangers sits at 32nd among the 36 participating teams, both dangerously close to automatic elimination.

Given Celtic’s determined performance against Bayern Munich in February and Rangers’ consistent appearances in the later stages of the Europa League, there were significant expectations for both teams this season.

Thursday’s results have intensified feelings of regression within Scotland, but how do outsiders perceive this narrative?

Rae explained that “the perception may not be as dire as we Scots might think. We have a tendency to engage in excessive self-criticism regarding our football. However, I doubt that across Europe, there is a widespread belief that Scottish football has experienced a dramatic decline in the last few years.”

He further highlighted the positive outlook on international players excelling at clubs beyond Scotland, referencing John McGinn’s impressive performances with Aston Villa.

Fortunately for fans feeling disheartened, an international break featuring the Scotland team is approaching, which may offer a welcome distraction.

The Importance of Competitive Performance

The implications of these matches extend beyond financial concerns; coefficient points also hang in the balance. These points are essential for determining national rankings, which dictate the number and quality of European competition slots available to Scottish clubs.

Currently, Scotland resides at 40th place in this season’s standings for coefficient points and sits 18th overall over the past five years. This position has placed Scotland behind nations like Cyprus.

Unless significant improvements can be made, Scottish football’s standing could fall to 14th, marking the worst position the country has seen since 2012. Such a decline would mean a reduction in the number of clubs eligible for European competitions from five to four.

This scenario would drastically alter the stakes; future champions would find themselves with three qualifying matches for the Champions League rather than one, while the second-place team would face three Conference League qualifiers instead of the Champions League counterparts.

The repercussions are dire; the current drop in standings will result in the Scottish Cup winners entering the Europa League in the third qualifying round, rather than the more favorable playoff round, thereby jeopardizing guaranteed group stage participation.

The lackluster performances on Thursday underscore the pressing issues facing Scottish football, and without prompt changes, the future could remain bleak for these teams.