Hibs' John Hughes delighted Old Firm will stay in Scotland

Published on Thursday 12 November 2009 21:48

HIBS manager John Hughes has expressed his delight that the Old Firm look to be staying put, as he reckons their departure would sound the death knell for Scottish football.

Hughes welcomed yesterday's decision by the English Premier League to reject Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside's proposals to involve Rangers and Celtic in a revamped domestic game south of the border.

With his side currently sitting third in the Scottish Premier League, Hughes could be forgiven for dreaming of one day winning the championship and qualifying for the Champions League in the absence of Glasgow's big two.

However, the Easter Road manager insists he wants to see them remain in the SPL and provide the "glamour" and stimulus for all aspiring players, coaches and managers.

He said: "I totally understand why they want to move down there, for the revenue and because it's a bigger pond. They are two clubs with such an institution that they want to be in the biggest league possible, I totally understand that.

"If it did happen, probably everybody would fancy their chances of winning the SPL. I think that for the first two, three or four years it would be great, we would all be gunning for it.

"But they bring all the glamour and I think eventually the game up here would die. We would have to sit down and look to revamp it.

"I'm one of these coaches who feels for the guys in the top half of the First Division, the guys who are all fighting their corner to get in the SPL.

"Why are they doing that? To go and compete against Rangers and Celtic – players, managers, coaches, directors, everyone. They're the icing on the cake for Scottish football. As a coach and a manager you always want to take your team to Parkhead and Ibrox and I think every player aspires to going to play there."

Whilst he is adamant the Scottish game needs Celtic and Rangers, Hughes reckons their continued presence in the SPL means the title race will remain a two-horse race for the time being.

After an impressive start to life under his tutelage, Hibs have been tipped to threaten the Old Firm's stranglehold on the silverware this season, with Rangers in particular struggling to overcome their financial limitations. However, Hughes – who was speaking as he publicised Hibs' "Kicks for Kids" scheme, which encourages supporters to donate half-season tickets to disadvantaged youngsters – reckons such a challenge is still some way off.

He added: "There are arguments on every side, but you just need to look at Rangers. They've only brought in one player in over a year, and you really feel for them, a big, big club like that.

"When I played against them there were guys like (Brian) Laudrup and (Paul) Gascoigne, and all these guys, real world-class players. It's changed days.

"But I still think they're miles in front. I can't see anybody splitting the Old Firm for a number of years. It doesn't stop us from trying to do that, you always set yourself a benchmark to see if you can go and do that.

"You just need to look at their turnover, their season-tickets and their gates. That's what we're competing with."

As for Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson, he hopes the Old Firm will now give up on the idea of moving elsewhere. "I am not surprised the English clubs voted against it," said Thompson.

"Now I hope the Old Firm put this behind them and work together with the other SPL clubs to improve the game up here. I admit this matter has caused some friction over the last few months.

"Also, in my view, talk of the Old Firm leaving undermined the SPL and made it more difficult to make progress in areas such as attracting sponsorship.

"Going forward, we must all look at our own game and accept we all have a responsibility to our game.

The SPL described the Old Firm as "massive assets" after Barclays Premier League clubs overwhelmingly rejected any possibility of entry.

A spokesman for the SPL said: "Rangers and Celtic are massive assets to the SPL and a vital part of the Scottish footballing landscape. Both clubs will continue to make an important contribution to the development of our league.

"We have a new chairman and a new chief executive in position, and with that there is a fresh impetus to build upon the work that has already been done in the SPL to reinvigorate Scottish football."