Champions League group spot confirmed for Scottish Premiership winners

Celtic, who lead the Scottish Premiership by six points with three games remaining, look set to go directly into next season's Champions League group stage

This season's Scottish Premiership winners will be guaranteed a place in next term's Champions League group stage after Uefa imposed sanctions on Russia amid their invasion of Ukraine.

The extended measures mean Russian clubs will be banned from participating in all Uefa competitions next campaign.

As a result, Scotland's champions have a Champions League group berth.

And the Premiership runners-up are guaranteed at least a Europa League group stage place in 2022-23.

• 'Emotional' Rangers aim to reach final for Bell

• Uefa announce Russia sanctions amid Ukraine invasion

Celtic are set to be the beneficiaries of the Champions League spot, with Ange Postecoglou's league leaders six points and a significant goal difference in front of rivals Rangers going into their final three league games of the season.

Should Rangers finish second, they will enter the Champions League third qualifying round. If unsuccessful in that round or the play-off round, they will drop into the Europa League at the group stage. The Ibrox side have reached the semi-finals of this season's Europa League and trail Leipzig 1-0 going into Thursday's second leg at Ibrox.

Uefa's measures against Russia mean Scotland will have three teams in European group stage football for the first time since 2007, with Hearts already assured at least a Europa Conference League group stage place.

Robbie Neilson's side will face Rangers in this month's Scottish Cup final and have already sealed third place in the Premiership.

Dundee United, Ross County and Motherwell are in contention for the two Europa Conference League qualifying places available via the Premiership. United are fourth and County occupy fifth, putting them in line for Europe. However, Well are just a point behind County with three games to play.