What Would Happen to Scottish Football if The Old Firm Left the SPL?

It has often been said that the Old Firm, Glasgow's Rangers and Celtic, are two big fish in a very small pond in terms of their status in Scotland and in the SPL, the Scottish Premier League. These two clubs have a bigger fan base between them probably than all the other clubs in the league combined, they are the only two clubs to have won the Scottish League Championship since Aberdeen in 1985 and they have the stadia and the drawing power all their rivals can but dream about. There is no doubt whatsoever that the status of both Rangers and Celtic far outstrips that of all their Scottish rivals in every conceivable way, so what would happen to Scottish football in general and the SPL in particular if the Old Firm moved on to pastures new?

There has been much talk in the past few years about the Old Firm moving on to bigger and better things than the SPL. One such suggestion has been to form a new international Super League with teams from countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands. This would see the Old Firm genuinely competing on a weekly basis with teams of similar ability rather than playing against teams that - with the greatest of respect - they are generally expected simply to turn up in order to beat. It is an interesting concept, certainly - but is it feasible or likely?

The likelihood in this instance is that we may hear of "studies" being made as regards the concept but I personally believe that the likelihood of it happening is virtually nil. The SFA (Scottish Football Association), UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) and the national governing bodies of any other country interested in becoming involved would all have to agree upon the principle and these bodies acting in unsion is historically an extremely rare event.

Possible? - just. Probable? - definitely not. 

Another suggestion made is that Rangers and Celtic could be allowed to compete in the English Premiership. It is a mouth-watering prospect to say the least for Old Firm fans, to see their team competing each week with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United but again, how feasible is it and how likely is it to happen?

I believe that this option is even less likely to happen than the mini European Super League discussed above. The most likely and understandable objections would be from those teams in the lower reaches of the Premiership and upper part of the Championship. There would be two fewer places available for them to compete for and thus tens of millions of pounds less prize money on offer. 

So how would the exodus of the Old Firm affect all the remaining teams in Scotland? Would they survive? Could the SPL continue to function without Rangers and Celtic?

The Old Firm are generally disliked by the supporters of all other teams in Scotland, for varying reasons and to different degrees. This is where I start to get what some may call a little controversial by suggesting that the principal reason for this is jealousy. The supporters of other clubs are totally understandably envious of the success known by the Old Firm and the frequent trophy captures that their fans have to celebrate.

Hence the reason why many supporters of the other clubs in Scotland would like to see the Old Firm depart. It would naturally allow the other clubs to compete for those trophies on a more even footing. Simple, logical and indisputable.

But what about the economic effect of Rangers and Celtic leaving Scottish football...? 

The economic fact of the matter is that the SPL could almost certainly not continue in its present form without the Old Firm. It is Rangers and Celtic who attract the advertising revenue; it is Rangers and Celtic in a similar sense who secure the big TV deals such as the present one with Setanta; it is Rangers and Celtic supporters who multiply most of the other teams' normal attendances at matches four times a season; it is Rangers and Celtic who secured the seeding benefits in European Competition. This list is by no means exhaustive.

I know that many of you will be adamant in disputing the above but I can assure you that I am looking at it in a logical and totally impartial sense. Setanta, to simply pick one example, pay good money in to the coffers of the SPL in exchange for the right to cover matches. Why do you think that nine times out of ten, they feature one or other of the Old Firm? Simply because they know that there are enough people likely to watch the match to justify the amounts they will charge for advertising. With the greatest of respect - simply to pick two clubs totally at random - the interest in the score of an Aberdeen v Dundee United match outwith Aberdeen or Dundee is likely to be negligible, never mind the interest in making an effort to actually watch the match.

I have heard supporters of teams other than the Old Firm put forth the suggestion that crowd figures would increase following the departure of the Old Firm as the outcome of not only matches but the destination of the trophies would be less certain and more competitive. They quite correctly point out that this would revitalise the competitive edge of Scottish football. While I fully acknowledge that this is certainly a possibility, I am afraid that I cannot see it as a likelihood.

In conclusion to this point, therefore, I suggest that while it probably would not go bankrupt, the SPL could quite simply not continue to function in its present form without Rangers and Celtic. The teams would not have the money to buy players, pay players, or maintain the stadiums they have built on TV and Old Firm money. Many - if not most - of the clubs would be forced to look at perhaps going part time, merging...or in a worst case scenario, actually folding.