Much has been made about how the SPFL would cope if Rangers and Celtic left Scotland to cross the border and enter the English leagues.
Since the Champions League Battle of Britain in 1992/93 when English champions Leeds Utd were put to the sword, either side has, usually, given a good account of themselves despite the gulf in finances.
The 7-1 defeat to Liverpool under Giovanni van Bronckhorst stung, but the former Rangers manager could at least point to injuries as an excuse and losing players like Ryan Jack and Connor Goldson during the game with the score at 2-1 and in the balance.
This season’s Europa League has seen Rangers travel to Old Trafford and robbed of a draw with Tottenham Hotspur coming to Ibrox where the home side were unlucky not to claim all three points.
Those who claim Rangers (and Celtic) aren’t big clubs, need only look at the game that was chosen to be the first ever match played live on satellite TV in 1990 to be reminded of who the real giants of the country are.
Rangers vs Celtic makes history as Old Firm gets satellite TV debut
The advent of the Premier League and expansion of the Champions League has seen Scotland’s dominant two fall by the wayside financially in terms of trying to compete with the top five leagues both on and off the pitch.
Where both were once able to beat off teams like Man Utd and even Barcelona for players like Lorenzo Amoruso and Brian Laudrup, that sort of scenario now would be laughable for a variety of reasons.
Whilst Rangers’ top earners are earning less than the likes of Ronald de Boer did 25 years ago, wages of £250,000 per week are the norm for the Premier League’s big six.
Once upon a time though, the Old Firm derby was the groundbreaking fixture used by British Sky Broadcasting to showcase their masterplan for domination of the live sports market.
How did Rangers line-up for derby delight?
The game, on 1st of April 1990, was one featuring a star-studded Rangers line-up.
Chris Woods, Gary Stevens, Stuart Munro, Richard Gough, Nigel Spackman, Terry Butcher, Trevor Steven, Ian Ferguson, Ally McCoist, Maurice Johnston and Mark Walters – a host of Hall of Fame legends.
No wonder Rangers emerged 3-0 winners and Graeme Souness declared that the scoreline flattered Celtic.
The front three all scored, with McCoist and Walters both scoring from the spot for two blatant penalties that no doubt those of a green and white persuasion complained about, putting Souness’ side just a handful of points away from retaining the title.
Johnston continued to annoy those who once worshipped him and enjoyed every minute of it too, a far cry from current SPFL players apologising for scoring against Celtic, just because they support them….
