Rangers poised for Champions League spot - if they win title

May 4, 2026 - 00:42

Rangers have received a significant boost in their pursuit of a place in next season's Champions League, thanks to results elsewhere in Europe. Greg Taylor's former club PAOK dealt a blow to Greek champions Olympiakos, beating them 3-1 on Sunday. That loss leaves Olympiakos six points behind league leaders AEK Athens with only three games left to play in the Greek Super League.

The result shifts the balance in the race for the final automatic qualifying spot for the Champions League league phase. Rangers are now the clear favourites to claim that place, but there is a catch. The Scottish side must first win the Scottish Premiership title. If they do, they will skip the qualifying rounds and go straight into the group stage of Europe's top club competition.

The path is not simple. Rangers still have work to do domestically, and nothing is guaranteed until the final whistle of the season. But the situation in Greece has opened the door wider than it was before. For Rangers, the message is clear: take care of business at home, and Europe's biggest stage awaits.