
What Rangers defeat to Athletic Club means as Champions League path becomes clearer

18/04/2025 08:00
It's been nothing if not eventful since Steven Gerrard was announced as the man to take Rangers forward.
A blockbuster appointment was questioned and, despite the paltry trophy haul during his tenure as Rangers manager, the Liverpool legend did win the one that mattered – in spectacular fashion.
The Scottish Premiership title was the pinnacle of Gerrard's time in the Ibrox hotseat, however, his legacy is much more important.
He restored respect to Rangers' name in Europe and led a rebound in the coefficient rankings following one of, if not the, worst results in the club's history.
Philippe Clement continued the good work in Europe, especially away from home, but he played an important role in the progress that could benefit Rangers next season to the tune of £40m.
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How does Rangers’ defeat to Athletic Club affect next season?
UEFA, their coefficient rankings and the ins and outs of European football is a complicated affair.
Every draw, every win, every result matters, there is no such thing as a dead rubber for a team that isn't gifted the fortunes that the top five leagues are afforded.
The irony of Chris Sutton complaining about the Europa League winners getting a place in the Champions League when as low as 11th in the Premier League could qualify for Europe isn't lost.
With Celtic winning the league, Rangers are set to repeat the escapades of this season and enter the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.
A bump up from the third to the second round is possible, depending on other results, but it is a small consolation.
What hasn’t helped is failing to secure at least a draw against Athletic Club at full-time (including extra-time).
A positive result would have taken Rangers above Club Brugge in the UEFA club coefficient rankings and into 24th place.
Defeat, sees them stay in 25th.
What impact does the coefficient ranking have?
How does this make a difference? It would have meant that Rangers were seeded in every round of Champions League qualifying next season.
Another opportunity missed.
Rangers were in 262nd place when Gerrard took over and a gradual climb has been the effect of season, after season, of consistency.
Reaching the latter and knockout stages has become the norm, a bizarre paradox given the failures of the past.
The current Rangers squad needs a lot of work done to it if they are going to avoid a similar scenario to last season.
The £30m difference between a good Europa League campaign and a poor one in the Champions League is a painful one, regardless of how much progress and winning might be enjoyed by fans.