Olympiacos deliver Champions League blow to Ibrox Tribute Act

Olympiacos made it three wins on the bounce by defeating Ajax last night to secure a Play Off spot in the Champions League.

It was a result cheered throughout most of Scotland as the Greek side moved ahead of the Ibrox Tribute Act in UEFA’s five season co-efficient table.

That is a significant step.

THE OLYMPIACOS EFFECT

Should, as is almost certain the 2026 Champions League winners already have booked a place in the 26/27 competition there will be a spare automatic group place.

That will go to the Champions Route to the club with the highest co-efficient.

Had Olympiacos lost to Ajax that could have opened the door to the Ibrox Tribute Act- if they were to win the SPFL Premiership title.

There are obviously a couple of variables. Both the Scottish and Greek leagues are tight but the co-efficient table is secure.

Olympiacos are in second place in the Greek League, two points behind AEK Athens but with a game in hand.

The Tribute Act are four behind Hearts with two matches to be played between the cousins in the remaining 15 fixtures.

In a bid to retain interest in the Europa League UEFA allocate similar co-efficient points to the Champions League.

SCOTLAND’S SHAME

In 2022 the Ibrox Tribute Act made their only ever Champions League appearance. Picking up zero points but leaving with the record for being the worst ever club with a -22 goal difference.

Olympiacos now go into the February Play Off draw on the back of a run that has seen them beat Kairat Almaty, Bayer Leverkusen and Ajax after taking just two points from their first five matches.

NOTE: The SPFL winners will go straight into the Champions League Play Off for season 26/27. From the 27/28 season the SPFL winners will go into the Second Qualifying Round.