Rangers could still gain automatic entry to the Champions League even if Scotland fall out of the top ten in UEFA's country coefficient due to a key qualifying factor.

There is concern Scotland could be overtaken by the Czech Republic in UEFA's coefficient standings with Viktoria Plzen still in the Europa Conference League this season.

Scotland currently sit tenth in the table but know if Plzen manage even a draw in their two-legged quarter-final then the Czech Republic would leapfrog us.

And that means next season's Scottish Premiership winners would have to play in qualifying for the Champions League instead of receiving automatic qualification.

READ MORE: Philippe Clement expects 'zero challenge' lifting Rangers players

The team finishing second in Scotland would have to play two matches to achieve qualification for the elite European competition.

However, Rangers do have a potential safety net to secure Champions League group stage football without facing a qualifying gauntlet.

Should Rangers win the Scottish Premiership next season then it's likely they would automatically enter at the group stage even if Scotland fall out of the UEFA top ten nation coefficients.

That's because Rangers' club coefficient puts them 25th in the ranking after impressive European involvement in recent seasons.

While Celtic would have to qualify for the group stage should they win next season's Scottish Premiership - should Scotland drop out of the top ten - Rangers would likely be safely into the group stage draw due to a key qualification rule.

As explained by the Scotland's Coefficient social media account, the crucial rule relies upon the winner of the Champions League also qualifying for the next season's tournament through their league position.

For example, if Manchester City were to win the Champions League and automatically qualify while also finishing in the Champions League spots in England.

In that case, then the 'spare' spot would be passed to the highest-ranked champion in qualifying - which would likely be Rangers, should they win the league.