Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen on alert as UEFA reveal Europa and Conference League rule change

Last minute changes are afoot but it's not necessarily bad news for our clubs competing on the continent

Scottish football's three clubs competing in group stage football in Europe have been boosted by a rule change

UEFA have introduced a last-minute rule tweak which will allow teams to temporarily swap out an injured player for one not previously included in their 25-man squad for this season's Europa and Conference League fixtures.

That means Celtic striker Shin Yamada, Rangers playmaker Nedim Bajrami and Aberdeen defender Alfie Dorrington will be in line for a call-up.

If a player is stricken and the club reckons they won't feature by matchday six then they can be removed with a team-mate on the outside looking in.

Celtic and Rangers face eight games in the Europa League while Jimmy Thelin's men face six matches.

UEFA said in a statement: "The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025/26 UEFA men’s club competitions’ regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday 6 included.

"The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure."

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