Rangers' win over Standard Liege has edged Scotland ahead of Ukraine into that all important 11th place on the UEFA coefficient table.
But they might require Celtic to deliver a parting gift next week to help carry Scotland to an automatic Champions League slot in the future.
Scotland had been on track to finish 2020/21 in 11th - meaning they would all but certainly secure the group stage place from the 2022/23 season.
Shakhtar Donetsk's Champions League victory over Real Madrid, however, nudged them narrowly ahead. But with just a fraction of a decimal point in it, the Scots have retaken the initiative thanks to Scott Arfield 's winner at Ibrox.
Rangers ' result earns Scotland 0.500 coefficient points - leaving them on 31.125 as things stand. Ukraine's 31.100 puts them in 12th, an entire point ahead of Turkey on 30.100.
Celtic are out of the tournament yet could yet have a decisive say on how the 2020/21 coefficient table finishes but they won't be able to contribute beyond next week's clash with the French side.
A win over Lille on the final day could see Neil Lennon's team earn Scotland a further 0.500 coefficient points, helping the country inch ever closer if they finally come good in Europe right at the end.
Rangers will advance to the last 32 of the Europa League and could further help the coefficient with a run late into the tournament.
Ukraine's representatives remain in with a chance too, however - Shakhtar could still qualify for the Champions League knockout stage while Dynamo Kiev are favourites to join Steven Gerrard's team in the hat.
Celtic fell to a 4-2 defeat against AC Milan on Thursday, having led 2-0 within the opening 20 minutes.
