CELTIC proved last season they could mix it with some of the best in Europe in the Champions League.
But despite coming close to a major upset against Bayern Munich, Ally McCoist reckons they are more suited to the Europa League at this moment in time.
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And the same goes for Rangers.
Celtic reached the first round of the knockout phase in last season’s Champions League, losing to the Bundesliga giants 3-2 on aggregate.
It was 2-2 heading into stoppage time in Germany but Alphonso Davies popped up in the 94th minute after Celtic had gone 1-0 up on the night thanks to Nicolas Kuhn.
The Hoops recorded wins over Slovan Bratislava, RB Leipzig and BSC Young Boys and picked up valuable points against Atalanta, Club Brugge and Dinamo Zagreb along the way.
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But they were dealt a heavy 7-1 defeat early on by Borussia Dortmund and also lost 4-2 to Aston Villa later in the league phase.
It’s perhaps with that in mind that McCoist says Celtic would be more suited to the Europa League, as they could go on a serious run in that tournament the same way Rangers have done recently.
The Light Blues reached the Europa League final in 2022 and have made it into the knockout stages in every season they’ve taken part in the competition since 2019-20 – including a run to the quarter-finals in the first year of the new format last season.
Speaking on talkSPORT this morning, McCoist said: “Taking the first game against Panathinaikos, Rangers were very good, and a great home result in the next round.
“In the away leg they weren’t superb, but I was always confident they were going to go through.
“I think this is a different game, the opposition is obviously of a far better standard. I saw Brugge last season and they are a level up.
“Financially, it would mean so much to both Scottish clubs if they could make it through to the league phase of the Champions League.
“Whether they are equipped to handle it…well, Celtic proved last year with a couple of good performances, particularly at home, you can qualify.
“I think both clubs, to be brutally honest, are Europa League clubs at this moment in time. They can certainly go further in that tournament
“Celtic have a game against Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan, and I would expect them to qualify, I really would.
“Rangers have a chance, I would suggest then go in as second favourites, but financially, just to be able to compete [with Celtic], they have to make it through.”
Celtic play Kairat Almaty on Wednesday night at Celtic Park with Rangers in action tonight at Ibrox, with qualification for the Champions League league phase at stake.
Dropping into the Europa League is the consolation prize.
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