[DaveSmith99]

(Original post by R-KAM)
I'd advise you to check up on your history of Scottish football before Rangers bank rolled themself title after title.

The league could be won by any of Celtic, Aberdeen and Dundee United with plenty others close by. (Not normally Rangers.)

When they're gone, it'll take a while, but Scottish football will one day be far, far better off.

Aberdeen are the only ones who have ever had any success outside of the old firm. And as I don't think they're going to be getting SAF back any time soon its not going to happen.

[Dimyan]

Well there is only one champions league place in scotland now anyway, if im not mistaken. They only need one team to dominate the tin-pot league now anyhow.

[R-KAM]

(Original post by Good bloke)
lack of money coming in.

Explain. Go, try your best.

[Celtic_Anthony]

(Original post by Dimyan)
Well there is only one champions league place in scotland now anyway, if im not mistaken. They only need one team to dominate the tin-pot league now anyhow.

You are mistaken.

[DaveSmith99]

So are you people trying to tell me that I am in fact wrong, and the SPL is actually really competitive and there are loads of teams that can win the title?
And after rangers are gone it will be even more competitive and wonderful?

Yeah okay then.

[Celtic_Anthony]

(Original post by DaveSmith99)
Aberdeen are the only ones who have ever had any success outside of the old firm. And as I don't think they're going to be getting SAF back any time soon its not going to happen.

Dundee United were in the UEFA cup final, and cheated by Roma out of the European Cup final. They were a great side under Jim McLean.

They also won the league using only 14 players (iirc)

[Good bloke]

(Original post by R-KAM)
Explain. Go, try your best.

You think that sponsors and TV companies will pay good money to a league that only has one good team? You think crowds will not drop? You may think things are bad now, but they can get even worse.

[Good bloke]

(Original post by DaveSmith99)
So are you people trying to tell me that I am in fact wrong, and the SPL is actually really competitive and there are loads of teams that can win the title?
And after rangers are gone it will be even more competitive and wonderful?

Yeah okay then.

hehe. After a ten point deduction Rangers, previously in second place and clear of the pack will be in second place and still NINE points clear of the pack.

[R-KAM]

(Original post by Good bloke)
You think that sponsors and TV companies will pay good money to a league that only has one good team? You think crowds will not drop? You may think things are bad now, but they can get even worse.

TV revenue - 3.7% of turnover. Nothing. The increased european revenue will beat that.

Sponsorship might drop a bit, but that's based on the club size, not Rangers existence. So not too much to worry about, Celtic will still have the same size fanbase to appeal to sponsors.

Crowds would definitely drop yeah, imagine seeing your team win the league every year. Did Rangers have that problem during the 90s? (The answer is no, btw.)

[DaveSmith99]

(Original post by Celtic_Anthony)
Dundee United were in the UEFA cup final, and cheated by Roma out of the European Cup final. They were a great side under Jim McLean.

They also won the league using only 14 players (iirc)

Okay, I was wrong. The mighty Dundee United will challenge for the title!

My mouth is watering over the thought of Dundee and Celtic battling it out for the title, how exciting the SPL will be!

[Celtic_Anthony]

(Original post by DaveSmith99)
Okay, I was wrong. The mighty Dundee United will challenge for the title!

My mouth is watering over the thought of Dundee and Celtic battling it out for the title, how exciting the SPL will be!

Dundee don't play in the SPL.

Your knowledge on all things Scottish football is a credit to you.

[Good bloke]

(Original post by Celtic_Anthony)
You are mistaken.

Yes but as the Scottish UEFA qualification coefficients fall as weaker teams qualify over the next few years that would reduce rather rapidly.

Anyway, Rangers are not yet dead.

[Celtic_Anthony]

(Original post by Good bloke)
Yes but as the Scottish UEFA qualification coefficients fall as weaker teams qualify over the next few years that would reduce rather rapidly.

Anyway, Rangers are not yet dead.

Rangers are, however, banned from Europe for 3 years as of 3.30pm today. Financial Fair Play, and all that

Really, everyone is so up to speed on this thread.

[DaveSmith99]

(Original post by Celtic_Anthony)
Dundee don't play in the SPL.

Your knowledge on all things Scottish football is a credit to you.

Right so back to my original question, wheres this competition going to come from?

[Celtic_Anthony]

(Original post by DaveSmith99)
Right so back to my original question, wheres this competition going to come from?

It won't appear overnight, of course, but I would guess that Aberdeen and Hearts would emerge strongest, eventually. You never know, Killie and Motherwell will get better gates as well, as may all the other clubs in the league challenging for trophies and European spots all of a sudden. It is a period of massive uncertainty.

[R-KAM]

(Original post by DaveSmith99)
Right so back to my original question, wheres this competition going to come from?

Celtic will romp the league for a while, yes, no denying that. In the long run though, the league will be better off as there is nothing really seperating the other teams except for investment. With european football being the prize for any of them, you'll see a much better league standard in the future.

[Good bloke]

(Original post by R-KAM)
TV revenue - 3.7% of turnover. Nothing. The increased european revenue will beat that.

Sponsorship might drop a bit, but that's based on the club size, not Rangers existence. So not too much to worry about, Celtic will still have the same size fanbase to appeal to sponsors.

Crowds would definitely drop yeah, imagine seeing your team win the league every year. Did Rangers have that problem during the 90s? (The answer is no, btw.)

You think the overall sponsorship and TV revenue pot will stay at the same levels? I don't. The product will be much less attractive and not nearly as saleable. Other clubs' revenue will fall as they have fewer big, attractive matches to sell and the whole thing will wither away over a few years. Will Celtic fans really want to turn out in big numbers to watch what would be equivalent, in terms of a mismatch, to Chelsea playing Orient or Barnet?

How will playing those games prepare Celtic to play in Europe?

[Celtic_Anthony]

(Original post by Good bloke)
How will playing those games prepare Celtic to play in Europe?

Wait, do we play Rangers every week at the moment?

Celtic have been horrendously underprepared to play in Europe since the 80s.

[Good bloke]

(Original post by Celtic_Anthony)
Rangers are, however, banned from Europe for 3 years as of 3.30pm today. Financial Fair Play, and all that

Really, everyone is so up to speed on this thread.

No. They have until 31 March to qualify for a licence to play in Europe. Keep up.

[Good bloke]

(Original post by Celtic_Anthony)
Wait, do we play Rangers every week at the moment?

Celtic have been horrendously underprepared to play in Europe since the 80s.

Even three good games a season (plus a probable cup game at some stage) is a hell of a lot better than what they would get if Rangers go by the board.