Last night’s Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers attracted attention across Britain and beyond. Rightly so, because there are few derbies to match it for intensity of passion.
Last night’s Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers attracted attention across Britain and beyond. Rightly so, because there are few derbies to match it for intensity of passion.
But is the Old Firm in decline? In many ways Rangers and Celtic have become an adjunct to the Premiership. Foreign players see playing for them as a way of getting into the Premiership. Many talented younger Scottish players think that they can advance their careers more by playing in the Championship. Of course, ever since professional football started, there has been a drift of players south of the border.
On the more positive side only Manchester United and Liverpool can attract bigger television audiences than Celtic and Rangers. They have big followings among the Scottish and Irish diaspora in North America and Australia. The challenge is to ‘monetise’ that appeal. The Scottish Premier League has recently concluded an improved television deal, but it gives all 12 clubs together less than the bottom club in the Premiership.