Celtic or Rangers.
For 36 dispiriting seasons – since 1985 – these are the only two names which have appeared at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
No other league in Europe has been won by fewer than 5 clubs in the same period.
In Italy, Juventus have won the league 9 years running – but that era is ending this year.
And since 1985, no fewer than 7 clubs have won the Italian league title.
Similarly, in Germany Bayern Munich will have won the league title 9 years running this season – but 6 clubs have earned the honour of being champions since 1985.
Now some will no doubt counter these statistics with the comment that “ BUT those countries have much higher populations than Scotland”.
True.
But Norway doesn’t. It has a population of 5 million, the same as Scotland.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN 10 DIFFERENT FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS OF NORWAY SINCE 1985.
So let’s stop making excuses, stop pretending that there is nothing unusual about the domination of our national sport by two clubs.
It is not merely unusual.
IT IS UNIQUE.
If you care to read some of the other posts on this site, you will find some radical ideas for changes to the structure of the Premiership “competition” and to the way the revenues are shared.
There may well be other ideas and, if so, they need to be aired quickly.
There is no time to lose.
The duopoly, which for nearly a decade had become a monopoly, has now been restored.
Rangers and Celtic are back together again at the top of the league. No doubt Rangers supporters will soon be dreaming of “10-in-a-row”.
The rest of the clubs need to tell the Big Two right NOW that “in-a-row” has had its day.
Radical changes must be made this summer, the start of a five year period during which new champions MUST emerge.
Celtic and Rangers will not want change – BUT it must be forced on them.
Agree to radical change or leave the Premiership.
Those should be the two very clear options offered to the Big Two.
Time for Change.
Scottish Football Matters 