CELTIC and Rangers could be set to benefit from Russia's Uefa ban with a Champions League spot now almost guaranteed.
The winner of the Scottish Premiership was already in pole position to secure a spot in Europe's elite tournament.
But now with the news that Uefa will be banning Russian clubs from participating in their competitions due to the invasion of Ukraine, Scotland looks set to benefit.
With Russia dropping out the coeficiant table, Scotland would jump up a place meaning the Premiership winners would land an automatic group stage spot.
It would also mean that the runners up would enter the non-champions path of the Champions League at the third-round qualifying phase.
As a result group stage European football is guarenteed until Christmas via the way of the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League.
Scotland will also have a representative in the Europa League in the play-off round stage for the winner of the Scottish Cup, while two other clubs will enter the second and third qualifying stages of the Conference competition.
Russia have been suspended from all UEFA and FIFA competitions, including the World Cup play-offs.
Continental bosses UEFA and global governors FIFA have made the joint decision on a temporary expulsion for Russia from all club and national fixtures.
Both UEFA and FIFA have removed Russia from all fixtures until “football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people”.
A joint UEFA and FIFA statement confirmed the move that will further isolate Russia’s sporting situation amid the invasion of Ukraine.
There is still a possibility that the Russian Football Union could appeal this at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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