GARY MCALLISTER reckons Scottish football is back on the European map thanks to the efforts of the Old Firm this term.

Rangers beat Braga in their Europa League last 32 clash on Thursday night, while Celtic are favourites to progress after drawing with Copenhagen.

Scotland are now 14th in the UEFA co-efficient table and seems all-but certain to secure a second Champions League spot for season 2021/22 after another encouraging campaign on the continent.

McAllister said: “That’s a massive boost for our game in Scotland and you should all be writing that, without a shadow of doubt. It’s a massive night.

“If both Celtic and us can get through, it would be fantastic for Scottish football, a massive, massive plus with the importance of that and the kudos it brings.

“I’ve been in England a long time and a lot of people from south of the Border have not really had any interest in Rangers in the past. My phone is full of messages.

“They have watched the game. It’s sending a good message. Both our big clubs have got to try and get through this round.

“You’ve got to earn the right. The fact that we lost them is because we didn’t do well.

“This represents progress. We have had a couple of seasons of good results.

“It’s the hard work of not just this season, but going back a couple of seasons. This run of good form in Europe is only good for the Scottish game because it helps the teams beneath us as well.”