Celtic and Rangers have ‘big problem’ after ‘damaging’ news – Keith Wyness

Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted the declining Scottish coefficient is a “big problem” for Celtic and Rangers which can only be put right on the pitch.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted poor showings from the Old Firm clubs and Hearts in Europe will “damage Scottish football”.

The Scottish coefficient fell out of Europe’s top 15 last term, meaning the Scottish Premiership champions lose an automatic place in the league phase of the Champions League in the 2025-26 campaign.

Celtic qualified directly to the league phase this term and beat Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in their opening game on Tuesday (18 September).

Meanwhile, Rangers failed to qualify for the Champions League and will play Europa League football this term – and Hearts will play in the Uefa Conference League.

Rangers and Celtic poor performance will ‘damage’ Scottish football, says Wyness

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The coefficient means a lot.

“Historically, both clubs would have got a free pass into Europe each year.

“It’s now very difficult. Hopefully Celtic will get the coefficient back up with some good performances in the Champions League, and Rangers will have to do well in the Europa League.

“It damages Scottish football and damages the possibility of investors coming in.

Celtic

“The coefficient situation is a big problem.

“Celtic, Rangers and the whole Scottish game should be worried about this coefficient.”

In other news, Celtic land £77million boost after record-breaking reveal.

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