Many voiced their concerns over a diluted Europa League when it was revealed a third UEFA competition was coming in the shape of the Conference League.
But those fears must surely be allayed looking at the big names taking their place in the sleek new format after numbers were cut from 48 to 32.
Celtic and Rangers rightly dream of dining at European football's top table but there are some Champions League names in the mix ahead of Friday morning’s draw.
We'll stop short of a full eulogy for UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin - but this tournament has been very good to both teams in each of the past four seasons.
The biggest selling point is both Ange Postecoglou and Steven Gerrard will get to measure their team against sides who themselves have grand designs of making the Champions League moving forward.
There is no easy draw here but there are certainly some potential scenarios that are more appealing than others.
Both Scottish sides are in pot two and Record Sport has put together a heaven and hell scenario ahead of the draw in Istanbul.
Europa League Heaven
Braga
An important point to make is no draw will be easy. Braga are certainly no pushovers with former Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvajal at the helm. The amiable Portuguese has built a team that is both pleasing on the eye and has an innate ability of getting results. Rangers were brilliant in their second leg against them before Covid hit and that secured a spot in the last 16 during the 2019/20 campaign. Some heavy hitters are in pot one and others may view Lyon as the best bet as they remain a work in progress under Peter Bosz.
Sparta Prague
Celtic fans might fail to see the promised land aspect in taking on a team who hit them for eight over matches last season. But revenge is a dish best served cold and Postecoglou's side should give the Czech runners up more to think about both home and away. Sparta are no duds but there might be a sense that Czech football is wilting slightly as Slavia's consecutive defeats in Champions League and Europa League qualifying showed. Celtic also made light work of Jablonec – the side who finished third last season in their Premier League. Rangers have proved masters of beating teams they should in Europe under Gerrard's watch so this draw would appeal.
Midtjylland
The forward-thinking Danes will be miles ahead of where they were when they put out Celtic last month but it was clear this isn't the same side that reached the Champions League group stage. Erik Sviatchenko continues to be linked with a move away and the former Parkhead star often appears the glue that keeps things together at the back. Rangers wiped the floor with them two seasons ago and Celtic have experience of defeating former qualifying foes in the same season as they managed against Rosenborg and Cluj in recent campaigns.
Europa League Hell
Napoli
They say a trip to the Diego Maradona Stadium is a bucket list adventure for a football nut but the current team certainly have the ability to make a pilgrimage to the south of Italy a nightmare one. Luciano Spalletti appears the perfect mix of pragmatism and guile to give Naples a side capable of challenging again after a lacklustre couple of years. Lorenzo Insigne continues to be linked with a move away but the Italian pocket rocket remains a star turn that compliments a talented squad. Celtic were rightfully joyous when they defeated Lazio home and two seasons ago and it would take a similar colossal effort for either of our sides to do the same again this time around.
West Ham
Don't call it a comeback but David Moyes might be guiding the most dangerous team in this whole tournament. It would be easy to dismiss the Hammers but they are physical, fast and have players all over the pitch who are willing to roll over the top of the opposition. The major question would be how seriously they are taking this competition but there may be a compelling argument their best route to the Champions League is by winning this tournament. Celtic know full well how clinical West Ham are as they hit them for six during pre-season and Michail Antonio has gone from dangerous winger to deadly No.9 under the tutelage of Moyes. Spanish duo Real Betis and Real Sociedad are also sides that Celtic and Rangers would ideally avoid.
Galatasaray
Yes, Faith Terim's side are a pale imitation of previous Galatasaray teams but they showed enough attacking threat in both legs against St Johnstone to show they remain capable of causing teams issues. Celtic, in particular, might be mindful as former target Sacha Boey has hit the ground running in Turkey and a compelling narrative often appears in these type of encounters.
The likes of Brondy and Antwerp are no mugs but Gala would undoubtedly rise to the challenge of being part of a marquee group with fellow illustrious names. They are gung-ho from first whistle to last – something Rangers used against them with a clinical victory to reach the group stage last season.
