Scottish Football's European Reality Check
A sober look at Scotland's European decline this season, how Rangers, Celtic and others have fared, and why Danny Röhl's side still has a path to rescue their Europa League campaign.
We can dress it up any way we like, but the numbers don't lie - Scottish clubs have capitulated in Europe this season. In UEFA's national association rankings, Scotland currently sits below Gibraltar. Let that sink in.
We've often laughed at the League of Ireland, yet they're now above us. Cypriot teams - home to more than a few of our former players - are outperforming us too.
From the Scandinavian nations, only the Faroe Islands sit lower. It's grim reading, and it highlights the scale of decline facing Scottish football on the European stage.
Rangers: Slipping Down the Rankings
Rangers began the season ranked 25th in Europe. We're now down to 35th.
Our victories came against Panathinaikos (111th) and Plzen (56th), but the defeats paint a clearer picture - losses to Brugge (24th), Genk (141st), Sturm Graz (81st), Brann (189th) and Roma (9th).
It's not just the defeats themselves, but the range of opposition - from European heavyweights to mid-tier sides we used to handle comfortably.
Celtic: Standing Still
Celtic started the season ranked 59th, and despite mixed results, they remain in that same position.
Their wins and losses tell a story of inconsistency - they beat Sturm Graz (81st), lost to Kairat (266th), Midtjylland (67th) and Braga (48th), and drew with Red Star Belgrade (50th).
It's respectable, but it doesn't move the needle. Standing still in European terms means falling behind.
Hibs, Aberdeen and Dundee United: Harsh Lessons
Hibernian began the campaign ranked 207th, slipping to 217th after losing to Midtjylland (67th).
Aberdeen's story is similar - from 161st down to 186th, with defeats against FCSB (84th), Shakhtar (41st) and AEK Athens (160th), plus a draw with AEK Larnaca (199th).
Dundee United, meanwhile, started at 208th, now sitting 248th, having beaten UNA Strassen (375th) but lost to Austria Wien (168th).
It doesn't make for good reading - and it's particularly sobering when you consider Rangers have beaten some of those sides in recent years.
Reputations Lost, Opportunities Ahead
European reputations take years to build but can crumble in months.
Yes, Rangers' managerial changes and some questionable recruitment have played a part, but under Danny Rohl, there's an opportunity to turn things around.
The Europa League campaign still has life. Last season, 10 points was enough to reach the knockout stages.
We have four games left - against Braga (48th), Ferencváros (55th), Ludogorets (75th) and Porto (28th) - and 12 points to play for.
Is it doable? Absolutely. These are the teams you have to beat to prove you belong at this level. The margin for error is gone, but the chance for redemption is right there - waiting to be taken.
Discuss rumours and transfers on our Hibernian rumours web page
Discuss rumours and transfers on our Rangers rumours web page
Discuss rumours and transfers on our Celtic rumours web page
