Celtic v Villareal Vital

[ian1964 10,418]

SCOTTISH eyes will be drawn to Greece and Switzerland this season, with Olympiakos, Panathinaikos and Basel all threatening to help their countries overtake Scotland in Uefa's co- efficient tables.

 

Scotland is currently in 12th place, with Greece just behind, and the Swiss breathing down their necks.

 

IN NUMBERS

 

13 games played by Scottish teams in Europe this season; 10 lost and three draws.

 

18 failed attempts by Celtic to win away from home in Champions League group game.

 

32 Scotland's provisional ranking in co-efficient table.

At the minute, the SPL title winners enjoy direct entry into the lucrative group stage of the Champions League, but should Scotland slip further down the table - even by one position - they would be in danger of losing that place.

 

As such, the SPL clubs will be watching with interest what goes on elsewhere in Europe this season and hoping that none of the above teams enjoy a sustained run in either the Champions League or the Uefa Cup.

 

And while Celtic's final group game against Villarreal is meaningless in terms of qualification, a win would actually stave off the threat of the immediate Champions League place being lost, something of enormous significance to the Old Firm.

 

Last night Scotland were sitting in 32nd place in the provisional co- efficient rankings, an embarrassing position which is made all the more galling when compared to last season.

 

A year ago Scotland amassed the fifth highest co-efficient with only England, Spain, Germany and Russia better off.

 

It is just as well that the rankings are worked out on the basis of the past five years' performances, otherwise Scotland would be in a dreadful position.

 

The blame lies not only at Celtic's door. Rangers, Motherwell and Queen of the South have contributed to the truly dire stat that there is no Scottish club this season who have registered a European win.

 

Hibs also lost both Inter-Toto ties, but they do not count in the co-efficient stakes.

 

As such, Celtic's game against Villarreal next month has a significance to it that might not be immediately obvious.

 

It isn't just about restoring a sliver of pride to a dreadful group campaign, it is about ensuring Scotland get the crucial co-efficient points that would ensure the Champions League does not start to drift further out of reach.

 

After all, with both halves of the Old Firm having come a cropper in the qualifying stages in recent years, no-one will need to be reminded of the dangers that lurk in the summer months when qualification is not assured.

 

That this season has seen such a dreadful return from Scottish clubs has been underlined by the fact that little consolation can be drawn from the calibre of opposition that was faced.

 

Few would expect Aalborg to go any further in the Uefa Cup than the next round, while Kaunas, who denied Rangers a passage into the competition, were thumped by Aalborg in the next qualifying round.

 

As Kaunas dropped into the Uefa Cup, Sampdoria walloped them 7-1 on aggregate.

 

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2470897.0.0.php

[Gribz 743]

So we want Celtic to win this. Its a meaningless game so I dont mind backing them.

 

However this could be a historic game. A match where Gers fans want Celtic to win but Celtic fans dont as it favours Scotland and Scottish teams and possibly Rangers....If it was the League of Ireland then im sure they would be trying a bit harder.

[craig 5,199]

So we want Celtic to win this. Its a meaningless game so I dont mind backing them.

 

However this could be a historic game. A match where Gers fans want Celtic to win but Celtic fans dont as it favours Scotland and Scottish teams and possibly Rangers....If it was the League of Ireland then im sure they would be trying a bit harder.

 

You make an amusing but fair point. That could very well be the case. However, if Celtic lose it potentially hinders their European hopes too.

[Gribz 743]

You make an amusing but fair point. That could very well be the case. However, if Celtic lose it potentially hinders their European hopes too.

 

Exactly. You can bet your bottom dollar if we go onto win the league and they win this game it will be brought up!!! Probably cost Strachan his job!

[calscot 0]

Ignorant article.

 

32 Scotland's provisional ranking in co-efficient table.

 

Yes we are currently 32nd this year and it can only get worse, but the rankings are base on a 5 year aggregate, so we're actually provisionally 12th.

 

A Celtic win will have little impact on our coefficient, only adding 0.5pts. It could be crucial if we drop to 15th, but otherwise it hardly matters.

 

 

At the minute, the SPL title winners enjoy direct entry into the lucrative group stage of the Champions League, but should Scotland slip further down the table - even by one position - they would be in danger of losing that place.

 

We were 10th last year which could get our champions automatically in, whereas 11th and the champs are in the 3rd qualifier. However, we're already provisionally 12th and can only drop further so we have already slipped further down the table and will lose the auto place the season after next. So a complete nonsense sentence there by someone who doesn't have a clue.

[theboyharley 5]

Ignorant article.

 

 

 

Yes we are currently 32nd this year and it can only get worse, but the rankings are base on a 5 year aggregate, so we're actually provisionally 12th.

 

A Celtic win will have little impact on our coefficient, only adding 0.5pts. It could be crucial if we drop to 15th, but otherwise it hardly matters.

 

 

 

 

We were 10th last year which could get our champions automatically in, whereas 11th and the champs are in the 3rd qualifier. However, we're already provisionally 12th and can only drop further so we have already slipped further down the table and will lose the auto place the season after next. So a complete nonsense sentence there by someone who doesn't have a clue.

 

 

Mate i was thinking that the article didnt really make sense. Looks like someone just looked at the rules and attempted to guess the likely scenario. I will in no way be supporting them against Villareal.

[Bluedell 5,342]

Is it true that if they lose they will have the lowest CL points of a British (and I use that term advisedly) team ever?

 

If so, then let's hope that they get humped.

[craig 5,199]

Is it true that if they lose they will have the lowest CL points of a British (and I use that term advisedly) team ever?

 

If so, then let's hope that they get humped.

 

If they don't score then would they not be very close to also having the lowest # of goals in the CL group stages (they currently are tied at the bottom with Basle)

[Gribz 743]

If they don't score then would they not be very close to also having the lowest # of goals in the CL group stages (they currently are tied at the bottom with Basle)

 

And they havent exactly had a tough group bar Man Utd who havent been on top form either.

 

Funny, i was just looking at the CL tables and only Barcelona have eased there group and are the only team with 4 wins in 5 games. Normally some teams stroll the group stages but most groups have still to be decided on the final day.

 

Celtic are still rank though.

 

The only other thing is they now dont have as many games so can concentrate on the league aswell.

[craig 5,199]

most groups have still to be decided on the final day.

 

You sure about that - I watched the highlights last night and from last night's games it seemed that all bar one group still had a KO place up for grabs - not sure about the groups from Tuesday.

 

Unless you mean who gets 1st and 2nd etc