Why Rangers hierarchy will be sweating as UEFA news emerges that could also affect Celtic
Rangers endured a nightmare in European qualification this season.
The Gers entered the third-round of qualifying for the Europa League, but crashed out to Polish minnows Jagiellonia Bialystok.
That meant Rangers dropped into the play-off round for the Conference League, but more embarrassment was to follow.
Derek McInnes' side could only draw 1-1 on aggregate with Jablonec, and crashed out on penalties.
It means there is no European football for the rest of the campaign for Rangers.
And a new rule change from UEFA means that their chances of getting through qualifying in the Europa League next season, could be even more difficult.
What have UEFA changed and how does it effect Rangers?
There is no disguising how poor it was for Rangers to crash out of both European competitions before they had even properly got started.
McInnes will be under absolutely no illusions that domestically he will have to bring success back to Ibrox this season.
But, the eyes of Andrew Cavenagh and co-owners 49ers Enterprises may already be looking nervously at next season.
BBC Sport reporter Dale Johnson reported on a new rule change implemented by UEFA for European qualifying rounds next season.
In a series of posts on X, Johnson stated how it will be more difficult for Scottish clubs to make the league phase of the Europa League next season.
That is because the final qualifying round is to be split into champions and non-champions - with the Scottish Cup winners or league runners-up to be placed in the latter category.
Johnson added that Scotland's drop in co-efficient ranking means that hypothetically if Celtic or Rangers were in the non-champions section, they would likely be unseeded, and it would be true or any other Scottish club.
He did add two potential positives, though. Dropping out of the final round of Europa League qualifying guarantees Conference League football. Moreover, if Rangers win the Scottish Premiership but failed to get through Champions League qualifying, they would at least be seeded in the Europa League play-off.
Rangers need to take matters into their own hands
The rule change will undoubtedly have the Rangers hierarchy sweating, make no mistake about it.
But, put simply, it would not be an issue if Rangers started taking matters into their own hands.
These rule changes are only nerve-jangling because of the situation Rangers find themselves in.
One way to give themselves a better shot of playing in the better competitions, and in the league phase, is to win the Scottish Premiership.
It really should not be too big of an ambition for a club of Rangers' size, and frankly it is time to start eyeing that biggest of prizes, anyone who isn't shouldn't be at the club anyway.