Celtic Eyes Champions League Glory as Scottish Rivals Fight for Conference League Spots
All five of Scotland's European representatives remain in contention as they head into the second legs of the play-off rounds, but only Celtic is guaranteed UEFA league phase action. Celtic holds a commanding lead in their Champions League tie against LASK, with a 3-0 first-leg victory featuring standout performances from Benjamin Nygren and Camilo Duran. If they falter, they still have the security of Europa League football. In contrast, Hearts, Rangers, Hibs, and Motherwell face a tougher road ahead. Hearts needs a win against Rapid Vienna after a 2-2 draw in the first leg to secure a place in the Conference League. Rangers, having exited the Europa League, can only aim for the Conference League, needing to improve after a narrow 1-0 win against Jablonec. Hibernian is on the verge of making club history, seeking their first European league phase qualification after a goalless draw against Gent. Motherwell started strong against Freiburg but ultimately fell 3-1, making their path to the group stage look increasingly difficult. Celtic's manager Martin O'Neill remains cautious, aware of the challenges ahead, but hopes to see the Champions League anthem return to Glasgow come Christmas. Meanwhile, Hearts aims to solidify their position as a regular competitor in Europe, while Rangers and Hibs look to make their mark in the upcoming matches.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-08-24