YESTERDAY, THE MOST successful club in Scottish football, having been denied a return to the top division, were consigned to the county’s fourth tier of football. Irn Bru division three.
Rather than host crowds of over 50,000 for the visit of Hearts, Hibernian, Aberdeen and Glasgow Celtic, they will wonder whether Ibrox is still viable for the visits of Elgin City, East Stirlingshire, Stranraer and Annan Athletic.
Celtic will benefit in terms of silverware. Motherwell and Dundee United could make another push for a Champions League place – or maybe even the title. However, will the absence of Rangers ensure that the dwindling interest in the SPL is extinguished altogether? Will the league’s UEFA co-efficient be irreparably damaged by sub-standard teams entering Europe unaccustomed to the necessary standard?
Or, does the disbandment of the Old Firm level the playing field and make a fertile environment for a much more exciting competition. Could we see a league finally able to get its house in order and free itself of sectarianism by the time SPL football returns to Ibrox (2015 at the earliest)?
