Rangers have experienced a tumultuous season so far, with numerous highs and lows, but despite the ups and downs, they still find themselves in a position to qualify for European competition next season. However, the path to the prestigious Champions League group stage is far from straightforward. While finishing second in the Scottish Premiership by the end of May guarantees them a place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, the road ahead is fraught with challenges.
To even have a chance at reaching the group stages, Rangers would need to successfully navigate through a series of three two-legged ties. These qualifiers will culminate in a play-off round, the outcome of which will determine whether they progress to the Champions League or drop down to the Europa League, a competition in which Rangers have had considerable success in recent years. If they were to enter a UEFA play-off round early in the 2025/26 season, Rangers’ prospects of advancing would likely be bolstered by an important new rule change implemented by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).
In a significant development for Rangers and other clubs with aspirations to reach the latter stages of European competitions, the SPFL has recently introduced a rule that could provide much-needed relief during the congested qualifying period for UEFA competitions. Under the new policy, if a club qualifies for a UEFA play-off round, they are now allowed to apply for a postponement of a domestic Premiership fixture that falls between the first and second legs of the play-off round. For Rangers, this would mean that should they make it through to the UEFA play-off round, they would be able to postpone their Premiership match scheduled for the weekend of August 23-24, 2025. This gives them crucial extra time to prepare for the second leg of their European tie, which could prove to be pivotal in securing progression to the Champions League or Europa League group stages.
This change marks a dramatic shift in how the SPFL has previously handled the scheduling of domestic fixtures during the European qualifiers. Historically, clubs like Rangers have struggled to manage the demanding schedule that comes with competing on both domestic and international fronts, with the fixtures often clashing in ways that hindered their preparations for European competition. The newly approved rule, which will apply to the 2025/26 season, now offers clubs a rare advantage in these highly competitive and high-stakes situations.
The SPFL’s decision to approve this change comes after careful deliberation by the Competitions Working Group, which includes representatives from top-flight clubs, and follows a recognition of the challenges posed by the increasingly congested fixture calendar. In recent years, Scottish clubs aiming for European qualification have been forced to juggle domestic matches with the added burden of multiple UEFA qualifying rounds, often leading to fatigue, injuries, and underperformance. The introduction of this new rule is an acknowledgment of the importance of supporting clubs as they try to break into the lucrative and prestigious group stages of European competitions.
For Rangers, the new policy represents a lifeline. The club has already experienced the difficulties of balancing European and domestic commitments in the past, with congested schedules often causing fatigue and affecting their performances on the field. Now, they will have the opportunity to take a more measured approach, with an extended period to rest and prepare between the first and second legs of a European play-off. This extra time could make a significant difference, giving the manager and the squad a better chance to recover and fine-tune their tactics before one of the most crucial fixtures of their season. This rule will undoubtedly help them maximize their chances of advancing to the Champions League, where they would face some of the best teams in Europe.
The SPFL’s move to support clubs in this manner also carries wider benefits for Scottish football as a whole. A stronger presence in European football benefits not only the individual clubs involved but also the reputation of the Scottish Premiership. The increased visibility of Scottish clubs in the later stages of European competitions raises the league’s profile, which in turn can help attract better players, larger audiences, and greater commercial opportunities. Furthermore, Scottish clubs’ success in Europe plays a vital role in improving Scotland’s UEFA coefficient, which affects the number of spots the country is allocated in European competitions each season. As Calum Beattie, the SPFL’s Chief Operating Officer, pointed out, this policy will help boost the league’s overall standing in Europe, benefiting not just the clubs competing but also the broader Scottish football ecosystem.
In addition to the competitive and reputational advantages, there are significant commercial benefits to having Scottish clubs perform well in European competitions. The money generated from progressing to the group stages of the Champions League or Europa League can have a transformative effect on a club’s financial health, enabling them to reinvest in player development, infrastructure, and facilities. For Rangers, the ability to participate in European group-stage football would be invaluable, as it would bring in much-needed revenue and heighten the club’s stature on the global stage.
It is also worth noting that Rangers are not alone in benefiting from this change. While they are the most obvious example due to their regular involvement in European competitions, other Scottish clubs that might find themselves in a UEFA play-off round next season will also have the opportunity to apply for a postponement of their Premiership fixture. This move could make a real difference in helping multiple Scottish clubs advance in European tournaments, ensuring that more teams from Scotland have the chance to participate in the lucrative group stages.
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 season, the SPFL’s new rule change also reflects the growing importance of European qualification. Under the new system, the winner of the Scottish Premiership will enter the Champions League play-off round, while the runner-up, which would be Rangers if they finish second, will enter the second qualifying round. The third-placed team will enter the Europa League qualifying rounds, and the fourth-placed team will take part in the Conference League qualifying rounds. These changes, along with the new policy for postponing domestic fixtures, reflect the increasing importance of international competitions to Scottish football and the clubs that aspire to make their mark on the European stage.
In conclusion, the SPFL’s recent decision to allow clubs, including Rangers, to postpone domestic Premiership fixtures during UEFA play-off rounds is a welcome change that will make a significant difference to Scottish clubs’ chances of success in European competition. By giving teams more time to prepare for these crucial ties, the league is helping to level the playing field and increase the chances of Scottish teams making it through to the lucrative group stages of the Champions League or Europa League. For Rangers, this rule change could prove to be an invaluable asset in their pursuit of European glory, helping them to balance domestic duties with the all-important task of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition.