The question for me is, am I bothered? After careful consideration, no.Are they finally at a point where they can compete with Celtic? Kick off today with a tough start against Aberdeen.
Well said.Up until the 80s/early 90s the Scottish league had some great sides like Aberdeen,and earlier than that they made good progress in the UEFA cup so its peculiar how the rest have struggled.The question for me is, am I bothered? After careful consideration, no.
The Scottish Premier is even less competitive than ours.
I agree with everything you say. Except I’d replace “no” with “possibly - one day”.The question for me is, am I bothered? After careful consideration, no.
The Scottish Premier is even less competitive than ours.
The question for me is, am I bothered? After careful consideration, no.
The Scottish Premier is even less competitive than ours.
Yes that’s a good point as well.Yes and no. Below the top 2 it's madness. Motherwell were unexpectedly brilliant last year, Killie the year before.
If you imagine it as the "who can beat Aberdeen league" it's really quite good.
Who knew Hearts would go down?
I suppose it's a bit like thinking of "who will win the Everton Trophy?" in the Prem.
Well said.Up until the 80s/early 90s the Scottish league had some great sides like Aberdeen,and earlier than that they made good progress in the UEFA cup so its peculiar how the rest have struggled.
If anything its a weakened league since they started the Premiership as it stands
Its even worse when one of the so called 'bigger' clubs like a Hearts , Hibs or Dundee United get relegated and make it even less competitive.
Dont like Celtic winning it full stop. Not exactly English friendly are they?
Yup-agree.The Dundees and Kilmarnock had decent sides in the sixties and they always had a reasonable international team-apart from the goalkeepers of course!Massive demand in Scotland to go back to a bigger league. It was pushed a lot over lockdown, not least cos it would have saved Hearts from another season out of the top flight.
That isn't enough now and they can't compete in the global stars basis either.
Yup-agree.The Dundees and Kilmarnock had decent sides in the sixties and they always had a reasonable international team-apart from the goalkeepers of course!
Some years ago there was talk of them merging with the Dutch/Benelux leagues but ultimately I think the Glasgows need to be playing in the English leagues.
That would be fun.
I'm not averse to a bit of Scottish football and watch it sometimes. I'm always interested in the Scottish Cup when the later rounds come just after Xmas and watch the highlights on Scottish BBC.That's arguably one of the strengths - that those teams can and do get relegated. I'd love Arsenal to have been relegated when they lost their way and how the fuck did Chelsea get away with having Avram Grant in charge? Our equivalents as 'the next best' are bullet proof.
It's impossible to argue that it's competitive at the top level, I totally concede that, but I still find it engaging, precisely because aside from the old firm, no side is strong enough to make terrible decisions and not suffer the consequences.
Clearly the standard is lower than England but it's less than a tenth of the population and their TV deal is peanuts domestically and of very limited value internationally.
The vibrancy of the overall Scottish football scene is remarkable. The junior league can pull big crowds and the success of teams in the league promoted from the highland league (and Lowland league to lesser extent) shows a remarkable depth in the game for a really small country.
I often think I should have been Scottish. Love staring into the middle distance having a pint, bleak countryside and underdog mentality. Also I get sunburned in about 6 minutes in April.
I'm not averse to a bit of Scottish football and watch it sometimes. I'm always interested in the Scottish Cup when the later rounds come just after Xmas and watch the highlights on Scottish BBC.
I've never adopted a team which probably lessons the enjoyment and I've no time at all for any of the bigotry between Celtic and Rangers.
Yup it was the season I stopped watching them for a while and incidentally the same season we won the Youth Cup against someone decidedly verminousWould have been 92? I think it was a knockout game but I could be wrong.
Yup it was the season I stopped watching them for a while and incidentally the same season we won the Youth Cup against someone decidedly verminous
Yes Stendal was a joke, a Poundland Klopp. Even let Joey Barton fill him in.Yes, I'll keep all my football mad colleagues arguing till February
Hearts are a big miss from the Prem, totally caused by the poorest management appointment in years, Craig Levein. Didn't give too much credence to the Jambos reform plans after that fiasco.
No. We beat Man Poo and local Blackpool lads Jaime Forrester and Kevin Sharp played in the finals. Just mentioning it in case Blood was lurkingHilarious pun about Shrewsbury or Mousechester United?
Ffs.
No. We beat Man Poo and local Blackpool lads Jaime Forrester and Kevin Sharp played in the finals. Just mentioning it in case Blood was lurking
The Heebees willYes Stendal was a joke, a Poundland Klopp. Even let Joey Barton fill him in.
PS Don’t think many will miss the Jambos
Yes it was the inaugural season for the Champions League, only Champions allowed entry btw not like today with 4 maybe 5 teams from same country.One of the best games I can remember as a kid was Rangers vs Leeds in what was either one of the first Champions leagues or last European cups. Two legs absolutely electric and I actually can't remember who won but I can remember it was an even match up.
Would have been 92? I think it was a knockout game but I could be wrong.
Can’t disagree but for sure both of the Old Firm in EPL would be up there amongst the challengers. Once they settle down I’m sure both would claim the title ...... but it ain’t gonna happenIt's all about the money isn't it, if they were in the premier League they'd have more money, obviously big crowds and they'd be up there. The current team would be mid table at best I reckon
If they were in the EPL they'd be looking to finish 17th and consider that a result. No way would they challenge nor be allowed to.Can’t disagree but for sure both of the Old Firm in EPL would be up there amongst the challengers. Once they settle down I’m sure both would claim the title ...... but it ain’t gonna happen
Chance for them to go 5 points ahead of Celtic tonight with a win over St Johnstone - Celtic game has been called off.
Talk of a points deduction in the event of another breach. Rangers put three past another former Pool player playing in the Mickey Mouse league, Elliot Parish. Played around a dozen games for us.This could be a real shot in the foot for Celtic.
I saw Celtic fans criticising Lennon for giving them 4 days off after their first match (the time in which their player went to Spain), saying that they didn't look match ready when they dropped points against Kilmarnock. Now they have their next two games suspended, so when they come back they'll be even less match fit. If Rangers extend the gap by winning all their games in that time, they'll then have the psychological pressure that every game is a must win..
Rangers could spoil the 10 in a row at the last hurdle!
Tommorows uncompetitive bore fest..
1/12 Celtic v Hamilton 25/1...
....
If they were in the EPL they'd be looking to finish 17th and consider that a result. No way would they challenge nor be allowed to.
If Rangers are to win it they'll have to beat Celtic 3 times. Can they do that? I doubt it.
Both. UEFA and FIFA would have something to say about it too, as both England and Scotland have votes in their jurisdiction. The Old Firm moving South would mean calls for a GB team would be renewed, ironically when Scotland has never been closer to independence or less likely to have anyone in the side.Wishful thinking that WIz.
I know it's a massive IF but IF they enjoyed the same broadcasting revenues as the other teams in the EPL are you suggesting that they couldn't compete with the top sides ?
When you say they would not be allowed to challenge, do you mean all the other clubs would close rank on them or do you just mean that they will never be admitted ?
Both. UEFA and FIFA would have something to say about it too, as both England and Scotland have votes in their jurisdiction. The Old Firm moving South would mean calls for a GB team would be renewed, ironically when Scotland has never been closer to independence or less likely to have anyone in the side.