Ibrox View: Rangers fans have new team to follow as auto-UCL hopes now rest with English side

Rangers’ push for the Scottish Premiership title has a side story involving auto-qualification to the Champions League.

Although winning the league qualifies you for Europe’s premier competition, it is not guaranteed the Gers will be put straight in.

If Danny Rohl’s side taste domestic success, they could have to feature in the play-off rounds to reach the Champions League’s league phase.

However, those worries could be cast aside based on results throughout the remaining games in European competition this season.

More specifically, Rangers’ auto Champions League hopes could rely on Crystal Palace making the Conference League final.

How Crystal Palace could affect Rangers’ auto Champions League qualification

Crystal Palace will have a massive role to play in Rangers’ chances of being put straight into the Champions League phase.

Based on UEFA coefficients, as it stands, if the Gers win the Scottish title, they will not have to feature in the play-off rounds which saw them knocked out by Club Brugge this season.

There are only a set amount of these auto-spots open, and with Olympiacos currently trailing in their league, it is an advantage to the Gers.

However, the rise of Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Conference League threatens to overtake the Glasgow outfit.

If the Ukrainian side makes the final, they could already be above Rangers or have the chance to do so.

According to Football Meets Data, the Ukraine side would have a higher UEFA coefficient than the Bears if the following happens in the final rounds of the Conference League:

• Shakhtar win one game and draw one game
• Shakhtar draw three games (Draw both semi-final legs and win on penalties and win the final on penalties)

So, there will certainly be many Rangers fans cheering on Crystal Palace as the season begins to come to a close.

Of course, the Gers will have to get their side of the deal done as well by winning the Scottish Premiership.

Jack Butland will be egging his former teammates on at Crystal Palace

Jack Butland still has many teammates at Selhurst Park from his three-year stint for the London side, including the likes of Jean-Phillipe Mateta.

The Rangers goalkeeper will no doubt be watching on as his former employers chase European glory. Three years on from leaving, the Eagles will have yet another say in his career.

Hopefully, all can go well, and Rangers fans will have no fears about their Champions League participation.

Avoiding a repeat of the Club Brugge clash would be ideal as the Gers have failed to get past the qualifying stage in four of their last five Champions League runs.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.