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McCoist’s Bold Trade-Off: Sacrifice European Glory to End Celtic’s Domestic Stranglehold
Ally McCoist has thoroughly enjoyed seeing Rangers make their mark on the European stage in recent years. Their commanding 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos in the Champions League qualifier is just the latest evidence of their growing continental pedigree. That result puts them in a strong position to reach the next round and moves them closer to a lucrative £40 million group stage place.
However, the Ibrox legend is clear-eyed about what truly matters now. While proud of the club’s impact on Scotland’s UEFA coefficient through memorable Europa League nights, McCoist believes Rangers must now shift focus. The former striker insists Russell Martin’s top priority should be ending Celtic’s relentless run of domestic dominance, even if that means sacrificing European success.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, McCoist said:
> “I’d much rather see Rangers improve on the domestic front, because we’ve been way off the pace. The games against Celtic last season were decent, but you could argue they meant more to us as Celtic were coasting to the title. It became a matter of pride. If Rangers can mount a serious title challenge and still do well in Europe I’ll be delighted.”
Despite being outshone in the Premiership, Rangers have frequently punched above their weight in Europe. McCoist attributes that to the team’s tactical adaptability, noting how continental opponents don’t sit back as much, which plays into Rangers’ strengths on the counter.
He reflected on some of last season’s standout results:
A gutsy win in Malmo, four goals away to Nice, a hard-fought clash with Manchester United, and a dramatic triumph in Turkey against Fenerbahce in the knockout stages. These are nights Rangers fans won’t soon forget but McCoist wants similar highs domestically.
Celtic, meanwhile, have been raising their own European profile. Under Brendan Rodgers, they reached the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2012-13. McCoist acknowledged the improvement, citing their 3-1 win over RB Leipzig and a valiant showing against Bayern Munich as signs of genuine progress.
> “Their draw in Atalanta was impressive, and they were very unlucky against Bayern. They almost forced extra-time with a draw in Germany after a narrow defeat at home. That was a big step forward,” McCoist admitted.
Still, for McCoist and many in the Rangers camp, the biggest step forward would be a return to domestic supremacy even if it comes at the expense of glittering European nights.
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