Russia's continued ostracisation from European club football is set to have ramifications that could see Scotland pull further away in the UEFA country coefficient table.
The work of Rangers and Celtic in the Europa League in recent seasons has seen the country soar up the rankings, which teed up this season's title winners gaining an automatic group stage slot in next season's Champions League.
Originally the slot could have been taken off them had this term's winners not qualified for football's richest tournament again through their league – and Villarreal could have been a threat in that regard.
But as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, their teams were frozen out by UEFA for next season on Monday and so the Villarreal scenario is no longer in play.
And the decision will impact the country coefficients with Russia the nation directly behind Scotland, who are currently ninth.
Here's what UEFA have had to say: "Russia will have no affiliated clubs participating in UEFA club competitions in the 2022/23 season. Consequently, the respective access lists of the men’s and women’s club competitions have been rebalanced in accordance with the principles set out in the relevant competition regulations.
"Furthermore, Russia will be assigned a number of coefficient points equivalent to the lowest number they have earned in any of the last five seasons, i.e. 4.333 points for the men’s association club coefficient and 1.750 for the women’s association club coefficient for the purpose of points calculation for the 2022/23 season."
That total of 4.333 has been beaten by Scotland in each of the last four seasons.
Also Russia are set to have their 2017-18 season wiped in which Zenit and Lokomotiv Moscow won their Europa League groups before bowing out at the last 16.
Another Moscow side, CSKA, went one better that year, making it to the quarter-finals after they dropped down from the Champions League. So, too, did Spartak, though they were swiftly dispatched by Athletic Bilbao in the round of 32.
All of that generated 12.600 points, which will be wiped out and replaced by the paltry 4.333 next season.
Scotland meanwhile will only have 4.000 points wiped and can count on an extra side in the group stage this time with Hearts guaranteed six matches in the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
It all adds up to a tanking for Scotland's nearest chaser in the coefficient stakes and strengthens their grip on ninth place with a view to overtaking Austria in eighth in the coming years.
That would further consolidate Scotland's standing in the country coefficient with a buffer between our ranking and the chasing pack of Serbia and Belgium in behind.
With the tournament extending to 36 teams in 2024 – and member clubs railing against two places going to clubs based on historical achievement – there's further optimism Scottish teams will dine at the top table for years to come.
