Keith Wyness, the former chief of Aberdeen, emphasized the pressing issue of the declining Scottish coefficient for Celtic and Rangers, stressing that the solution lies on the pitch. In a recent episode of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the seasoned 66-year-old, with a rich background in football leadership, highlighted the repercussions of subpar performances by the Old Firm clubs and Hearts on the broader Scottish football landscape.

With the Scottish coefficient dropping out of Europe’s top 15 rankings last season, there are substantial implications, notably impacting the automatic qualification spot in the Champions League for the Scottish Premiership champions come the 2025-26 season. While Celtic started strong this season by securing direct qualification to the league phase and triumphing over Slovan Bratislava, Rangers faced Europa League entry after failing to make the cut for the Champions League, with Hearts set to appear in the Uefa Conference League.

Wyness underscored the significance of the coefficient, once a gateway for effortless European participation for both clubs. The current scenario demands exceptional performances from Celtic and Rangers to revive the coefficient standing, accentuating how poor showings tarnish the reputation of Scottish football on the global stage and deter potential investors from engaging with the sport.

In conclusion, Wyness emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging Celtic, Rangers, and the entire Scottish football community to address the coefficient decline proactively to safeguard the future competitiveness and appeal of the game.