Rangers handed Champions League group stage spot by Bayern Munich win

Rangers will be granted a place in the Champions League group stages next season following Bayern Munich's aggregate win over Lyon. Uefa had reserved a berth in the group stages for the winner of next month's final, which neither Bayern nor the remaining semi-finalists, Barcelona and Internazionale, require as they have already qualified for next year's competition through their domestic league. That place has now been passed to the Scottish Premier League, sparing the newly crowned champions from a third-qualifying-round tie and a further play-off round – potentially against Premier League, La Liga or Serie A opposition – before reaching the 32-team group stage. Bayern's victory is a significant boost for Rangers, whose parlous financial position could be eased by the guaranteed revenue from a minimum six televised games. Celtic, who finished second in the Scottish Premier League, are not affected by last night's result, and will begin next season's campaign in the third qualifying round.