SCOTLAND have taken a giant step closer to getting two clubs into Champions League qualifying - and having another representative in Europe.
Celtic’s win over Rennes at Parkhead and Rangers’ draw with Feyenoord in Rotterdam last night saw the country move up to 15th place in the UEFA country coefficient table.
Scotland now have a ranking of 26.375 and have jumped above Cyprus, who have a 26.250 ranking, thanks to the latest Europa League results.
If they finish the 2019/20 campaign in 15th position or higher they will get an extra club into Champions League qualifying and another club into Europa League qualifying in the 2021/22 season.
Lennon, whose side won 3-1 to top their section for the first time in their history and make sure they are seeded for the last 32 draw next month, believes it is hugely positive for football here.
“It’s great news for the Scottish game,” he said. “Rangers have done fantastically well in their group as well to take it to the last game.
“I can’t comment on their performances because I haven’t been able to see them, but it augurs well for the image of the game. We want to get back up there and get people talking about us again.
“I go back to the scenes we saw in Rome and what it meant to the fans and the players. They got a real taste of it then and all of a sudden it really kicks in - that these are special nights and you have to make the most of them.
“You have a long domestic season where you try to win trophies. But the reward is Europe. So you want to compete and learn from it as a player.
“So to be 15th at the minute shows we’ve made really good strides in the last 12 months.”
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