LENNY: WE’RE BACKONMAP
FROM BACK PAGE Euro performances and those of rivals Gers are proof the nation is back swinging among the big punchers in Europe.
Scotland are now 18th in the UEFA coefficient table after Celtic’s epic win over Lazio and Rangers’ point in Porto. They need to make the top 15 by the end of the season to snare a second Champions League spot.
Lennon’s team put in a magnificent performance to sink Lazio to stay top of Group E at the halfway stage – and the win was a massive shot in the arm for the Scottish game as it gave the Hoops an eighth win in just 11 continental ties this term to hugely boost the coefficient.
Lennon is thrilled and said: “It’s important to compete in those games because you know what it means for everyone associated with the club and Scottish football.
“It’s important that we add some gravitas back to the game and both the clubs are doing their best to bring that.
“In terms of the Lazio game it gives them a real taste of what Europe can bring and the whole gravitas for the club.
“The quality and intensity of the game were fantastic. It had all the ingredients of those great nights we have had at Celtic Park and it will be memorable, but we have to back it up by qualifying.
“We felt as if we had a chance to do something in the group and so far we are prevailing, but there’s a long way to go yet.
“I don’t believe that the Champions League is way beyond any Scottish club. In time, we will be there again and challenging and, hopefully, breaking the ceiling of the last 16 again.
“I don’t believe for one minute that’s too far away for the Scottish clubs.
“Both teams are in the Europa League and are performing very well. It’s the competition we are in, so we have to maximise what we have in it.
“But in terms of the Champions League, we know how difficult it is, but we want to get the coefficient up. All I’m thinking about is trying to get through the group and then take it from there.
“If that bodes well for the coefficient, so be it.”
Scotland’s sides have secured a total of 6.500 coefficient points so far this season and that’s just 0.250 less than the total for the whole of last year with the Old Firm still having at least six games to play between them.
Only England, Spain and Holland have better totals at this point.
Scotland need to overcome Serbia, Cyprus and Greece to get in the top 15 but even rising just one more spot to 17th would mean one less qualifying round for Scotland’s champions next term.
Lennon said: “It would make a huge difference if we could get rid of that first qualifier, it’d give me an extra week in Portugal!
“The four qualifiers are a marathon and if you can take one away then great. Even three qualifiers is a big ask but it’s doable.”
Beforehand, Lennon’s troops are in a strong position to go to this term’s Europa knockout phase, but warned: “We’re not getting carried away.
“Other teams will take points off each other but it’s a great start. I don’t want to tempt fate because we could not get another point in the next three games. What they’ve done so far is everything we’ve asked.
“One more win out of three might be enough.”
If Scotland grab 15th spot it will also see five teams in Europe instead of four with one side in the new-look Europa League.