Rangers manager Walter Smith believes the significance of going straight into the Champions League group stage cannot be understated.
Last season, the Ibrox club were dumped out in the qualifiers by Lithuanian outfit FBK Kaunas, but after winning The SPL they do not have such worries next season.
So as Rangers can look forward to the draw for the groups, Celtic need to participate in two qualifying rounds and Smith is looking forward to the tournament after missing out last term.
“Apart from the initial delight of winning the championship, when you sit down and analyse exactly what it means, everybody focuses on the amount of money that there is [in reaching the Champions League],” Smith told the Rangers website.
“But avoiding these qualification games is a major, major factor.
“They are not nice games to be involved in.
“When you maybe have a few changes to your squad, or, like our team last year, a slightly slow start after the rigours of the previous season, then important games coming so soon as they do is very awkward.
“So I'm absolutely delighted that we are not involved in the two qualifying rounds.
“In previous years it has turned out all right at times for us but they have not been that pleasant.”