Scottish football has been plunged into another wave of criticism after the latest European disasters involving Celtic and Rangers, with former Rangers striker and respected pundit Ally McCoist at the centre of the debate.
The latest results have raised uncomfortable questions about the standard of Scottish football, particularly when the country’s two biggest clubs are expected to carry the reputation of the entire league on the European stage.
Celtic’s collapse against LASK was arguably the most difficult result to comprehend. Martin O’Neill’s side travelled to Austria holding a commanding 3 0 advantage from the first leg and then extended that aggregate lead to 4 0 after Callum McGregor opened the scoring. Somehow, however, Celtic conceded five times and eventually lost 5 1 after extra time, surrendering the tie 5 4 on aggregate.
For many supporters, that result was not simply another European disappointment. It was a devastating reflection of the problems facing Scottish football.
And then came Rangers.
Derek McInnes’ team suffered another humiliating European exit, losing to Jablonec on penalties after the Czech side levelled the tie. Rangers had already been eliminated from the Europa League by Jagiellonia Bialystok, meaning their European campaign ended before they could reach the group stage of either competition.
The combined effect has been brutal.
McCoist, whose career is deeply connected with Rangers and Scottish football, has regularly been outspoken when standards drop. His latest supposed “rant” has therefore become the perfect vehicle for a much wider conversation: why are Scottish clubs struggling so badly when the pressure of European football arrives?
The criticism is particularly painful because Celtic and Rangers possess resources that most other Scottish clubs can only dream about.
Yet money, history and enormous fanbases do not automatically guarantee European success.
Celtic’s defeat against LASK demonstrated how quickly a comfortable position can disappear. The Hoops were four goals ahead on aggregate but failed to control the game once LASK began applying pressure. The result has already been described as one of the worst European nights in the club’s history.
Rangers’ situation is equally concerning.
They invested heavily during the summer, bringing in several new players, but the team has struggled to develop the cohesion required at European level. Their elimination by Jablonec means the club will miss out on the financial and sporting benefits associated with European group-stage football.
That is where the argument about Scottish football becomes unavoidable.
If Celtic and Rangers cannot consistently compete against clubs from leagues with similar or even smaller financial resources, then supporters are entitled to ask whether something deeper is wrong.
The problem, however, cannot simply be blamed on the players or managers.
Scottish clubs need better recruitment structures, stronger youth development, improved coaching and a long-term strategy for competing internationally. European football requires intensity, technical quality, tactical discipline and squad depth. Domestic dominance alone does not prepare a club for the demands of continental competition.
There is also a danger in making the argument too simplistic.
Scottish football has produced excellent European performances in recent years, and clubs such as Celtic, Rangers and others have occasionally shown that they can compete with stronger opposition. Hearts, for example, have progressed in Europe this season while Celtic and Rangers have suffered setbacks.
That proves the situation is not completely hopeless.
But the latest results have undoubtedly damaged the reputation of the Scottish game.
For McCoist and other former players watching from the sidelines, the frustration must be enormous. Celtic had the chance to make a major statement in Europe and instead produced an extraordinary collapse. Rangers had the opportunity to restore pride after their previous disappointment but suffered another early elimination.
The reaction from supporters has been equally fierce.
Fans do not demand miracles. What they want is commitment, organisation and evidence that their clubs are capable of learning from previous mistakes.
Instead, the latest European campaign has left Scottish football facing another uncomfortable reality.
The domestic game may remain fiercely competitive and hugely entertaining, but Europe is where the real benchmark lies.
And until Scottish clubs consistently raise their standards on that stage, accusations that the game is falling behind will continue.
For Celtic and Rangers, the message is simple.
European football does not care about reputation.
It does not care about history.
And it certainly does not care about how dominant a club is domestically.
Performances must speak for themselves.
Right now, after two extraordinary European disappointments, Scottish football has plenty of explaining to do.