Ukrainian clubs eye Euro lifeline

UEFA are planning to parachute Ukrainian clubs directly into the group stage of all three of their competitions next season without the need for qualifiers, according to Dnipro boss Igor Jovicevic. And Scotland’s European representation will be anxiously waiting to see if the decision impacts on countries above Ukraine on the coefficients. Football is suspended in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion and their two big clubs — Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk — have left the country and are playing exhibition matches across Europe. Another European stalwart, Dnipro, are in limbo and are waiting to hear when they will be able to play their next game. They were sitting in third place in the Ukrainian Premier League before it was suspended and the club’s Croatian manager Jovicevic believes their clubs will go straight into the group stage in Europe. He said: ‘There is now a proposal to allow Ukrainian clubs direct placement into the group stage of European competitions. We will see if it is possible to do such a thing. It would be a big exception, but with this concession UEFA would help our clubs survive this difficult period.’ Ukraine currently sit three places behind Scotland in 12th place in the coefficient table. Next season, Celtic look certain to be in the Champions League group stage if Liverpool reach the Champions League final and, as expected, the Parkhead side win the Scottish title. Rangers could go into pot one in the Champions League if they were to win the Europa League. Failure to win either the Europa League or the Premiership would see them enter the Champions League second qualifying round.