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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Celtic, Rangers and the Champions League wild card to watch as Villarreal threaten £40m bounty

The Champions League knockouts just never fail to deliver, do they?

The dust is settling on another dramatic night on the continent as the first two teams booked their place in the semi-finals - and there one was considerable shock.

While most observers were glued to the thriller between Real Madrid and Chelsea at the Bernabeu, there was another Spanish side producing a huge upset.

When Villarreal edged out Bayern Munich in their first leg clash in Spain last week, it was widely believed the Bavarians would run amok at the Allianz.

(AFP via Getty Images)

But last season's Europa League winners are not to be trifled with under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery.

Despite going behind to a Robert Lewandowski goal, Emery's side rallied to find and equaliser two minutes from time, one that proved fatal for Bayern.

It was a goal that propelled them into what will likely be a last four tie against Liverpool, who lead Benfica 3-1 from their own quarter-final first leg.

If they were to somehow go all the way, it could be bad news for this season's Scottish Premiership winners.

The title race has carried an added incentive in the form of an automatic Champions League group stage and the £40m reward it brings for whoever crosses the line first this season.

And, six points clear of Rangers with fives games left, it very much looks like Celtic will do so.

Villarreal's progression to the semi-final has had some supporters fretting on social media and it's because, should they pull off an incredible, odds-defying feat and win the tournament, the Scottish champions' group stage place would come under real threat.

The Champions League winners, of course, are given a place in next season's tournament.

Most of the time, however, the winners will have already qualified via their domestic league.

But Villarreal are 11 points off a qualification place in La Liga and unlikely to get in through that traditional route.

If they win the tournament, then, UEFA would be required to find a place for them somewhere and it could come at the expense of the Premiership champions, due to Scotland's coefficient rankings.

It would mean that if, as expected, Celtic win the title they may have to go through qualifying instead.

However, there are two factors that would likely ensure this scenario does not come to pass.

Firstly, as already covered above, Villarreal remain rank outsiders despite beating Bayern, with the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Man City still in contention.

They will need to beat two of those four sides, one over two legs, to reach the promised land.

Secondly, unless UEFA reinstate Russia from their suspension due to the war in Ukraine, then there will be changes to next season's qualification paths would could well see the Scottish champions' place remain secure.

Of course, it's all still very much "ifs and buts" at this stage, but if your daily social media browse left you wondering why Villarreal's heroics have been mentioned in the same breath as the Premiership title race, there's your answer.

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