Chris Sutton delivers verdict on Rangers’ chances of Europe

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Rangers are expected to qualify for Europe ahead of the 2018-19 season, but Sutton is not so sure.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has told the Evening Times that he believes Rangers are in danger of failing to qualify for Europe, which would mean the Gers could finish as low as fifth place this season.

Scotland are currently afforded one Champions League qualifying spot by FIFA, and three Europa League qualifying spots. Second and third enter the Europa League at the first qualifying round, while the winners of the Scottish Cup start in the second qualifying round.

If the winners of the Scottish Cup are already in European competition, then the slot for the second round of the Europa League qualifying phase goes to second place, with third and fourth entering the competition in the first round.

So if Motherwell beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup final, only the top three will enter Europe from the league. If Celtic win, the top four will have a crack at Europe – and in Sutton’s eyes that signals danger for Rangers’ European chances.

“Do I think Rangers are in danger of missing out on Europe? Yes, I do but it is still in their hands,” Sutton said. “I mean one result at the weekend, one performance and everything has unravelled.

“This is the same group of players who at times this season have performed okay but you just wonder when everything is thrown into the mix how Rangers are going to respond.

“They have to respond but with the turmoil that has been there this season you wouldn’t put anything past them.”

With five games to play, Rangers sit in second on 62 points; level with Aberdeen in third. In-form Hibs sit in fourth on 59, while on-fire Kilmarnock are chasing down the pack on 55.

With the recent turmoil at Ibrox that has seen Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller suspended, Rangers could fail to recover as they face a run of difficult fixtures following the split including Celtic away at the end of the month.

It could come to the point where a Celtic win in the Scottish Cup final would help Rangers qualify for Europe, as a Hoops treble would see all four European places go to the top four of the division. But even then Sutton has doubts, suggesting a fifth-placed finish.