It's been a good week for Scotland's coefficient after the involvement of Rangers, Hearts, and Hibernian in European action.

Rangers progressed to the play-off round of Champions League qualifying by knocking Servette out of the competition on Tuesday night. The Ibrox side went through after a 3-2 aggregate victory over the Swiss. 

Michael Beale's side will take on PSV in the next round. They faced the exact same opponents at the same stage last August, with Antonio Colak sending them through to the group stages of UEFA's elite tournament for the first time in 12 years.

Hibs' two-legged win over Luzern, another Swiss team, also provided a huge boost to Scotland's ranking. They secured a draw on the night, winning 5-3 on aggregate.

The results for Rangers and Hibs did the most damage as Switzerland were getting close to Scotland on the coefficient table prior to these games. 

Hearts' overall 4-3 win over Rosenborg has also injected some much-needed optimism that Scotland can maintain ninth place in UEFA's rankings.

As well as Switzerland and Scotland, Austria, Turkey, and Serbia are battling it out for the much-coveted spot. The Scots remain in ninth, which currently sees the champions automatically qualify for the Champions League, a further UCL qualification spot, a Europa League play-off, and two Conference League qualifier slots.

So, as well as boosting Scotland's own position, it's been strengthened further by the fact that as a direct result of Rangers and Hibs defeating Swiss opposition. 

Coefficient points are worked out by dividing the total points a team accumulates by how many clubs represent them in European competition. Each win is worth two coefficient points, with draws earning a point.

Scottish sides have managed to earn 1.8 points so far this campaign with Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Hibs, and Aberdeen all still involved and with the opportunity to get more on the board.

READ MORE: Hearts & Hibs Europa Conference League dates revealed

Celtic will play Champions League group-stage football. Rangers could join them if they beat PSV, but will drop into the Europa League with a loss. Aberdeen are also guaranteed group-stage football of some sort, either Europa or Conference League depending on their play-off result against BK Hacken.

Hearts face PAOK for another crack at the Conference League groups, while Hibs will take on Premier League side Aston Villa for the chance to make the groups.

Scotland has never had more than three representatives playing group-stage football at any one time.

Glasgow Times:

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