Celtic won the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership title, but will still have to go through one round of qualifying.
That is because of Scotland’s position in Uefa’s association ranking in the five-year period from the 2019-20 to 2023-24 seasons.
The association ranking – based on the performances of clubs from each country across Europe’s three club competitions – determines how many places are given to each nation in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Automatic qualification for league winners is only given to nations that finished in the top 10 of Uefa’s association ranking in the period up to a year before that season starts.
Scotland was the 11th best association in the qualifying period for next season, securing two Champions League qualifying round places.
Celtic received direct entry to the Champions League’s league phase last season because Scotland was ranked eighth in the five-year period between 2018-19 and 2022-23.
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