Rangers and Celtic have been given a huge Champions League qualification cash incentive after a boost in prize money for European football’s premier competition.
Figures have emerged for the 2021/22 tournament which the Glasgow giants will both be battling to get into for the first time in a decade.
And the rewards are greater than ever with each of the 32 clubs who reach the group stage set to be handed £14 million just for getting through the qualifying rounds.
They can then pick up another £2.5million for each win and £800,000 for a draw and that gives the Old Firm the chance to make an astronomical amount when television money and gate revenue is taken into consideration.
Celtic face Danish side Midtjylland in the second qualifying round in July with Rangers entering in the following round.
UEFA will distribute a total of £1.75billion for the group stage compared to £1.67bn for the three-year period from 2018 to 20201.
And the prize money has risen by three per cent with the eventual winners banking a staggering £20m.
With a revamp of the European competitions to add the Conference League, UEFA estimate an increase in overall revenue to an eye-watering £2.8 billion.
The lion’s share will go to the Champions League but there is still a big incentive to the other Scottish clubs competing in Europe.
St Johnstone could bank £3.6 million by reaching the Europa League group stage with £2.5 million the carrot for Aberdeen and Hibs if they get through qualifying for the inaugural Conference League.
