Stuart McCall laments poor European show but prefers to hail positives

Both Old Firm clubs suffered underwhelming results in the Europa League play-offs with Rangers falling to a 2-1 defeat by Maribor in Slovenia and Celtic held to a disappointing goalless home draw by Sion.

And a 5-0 defeat for Hearts against Tottenham at Tynecastle sparked dismay in many places over the gulf in class between the top-level English game and its Scottish counterpart.

But McCall believes there are many things to be positive about in Scottish football, including improvement in the national team and increasing numbers of talented young players.

The former Scotland midfielder, whose team top the Clydesdale Bank Premier League ahead of the visit of Rangers tomorrow, said: "You have to put things in context. Rangers and Celtic had disappointing results but I'd hope they will both still go through.

"Hearts is a different story. You have to look at the budget and the players Spurs can call on.

"There's (Jermain) Defoe and (Rafael) van der Vaart, (Aaron) Lennon on one side and (Gareth) Bale on the other side - it's formidable.

"It's disappointing but, if we look at the result in the cold light of day, then maybe it's not surprising with the quality they have - Spurs are a top, top Premiership side.

"Whoever they came up against from Scotland I think it would be a tough, tough game."

The former Bradford manager added: "I think we have to relish what we've got and enjoy the young lads we've got playing now. The national team is doing okay, albeit a lot of them are playing down south.

"It all comes down to finances, I mean we get outbid from (English) non-league teams for players and that's the reality of the finances in the Scottish game.

"There's been a lot of good football this season by teams in the SPL and I think we need to be positive."

Midfielder Keith Lasley, who spent two years in England at Plymouth and Blackpool, hopes the European results do not detract from a bright start to the SPL season, not just for his own club, who have not conceded a goal in four games.

"The (Hearts) result does look bad on paper, there's no doubt about that," the 31-year-old said. "I think Hearts would probably admit they weren't at their best.

"But, if you take a step back and look at the Tottenham squad, I think there is a gulf even in England.

"I know it's 5-0 but hopefully there is not too much of a knee-jerk reaction. Tottenham would have beaten most English teams last night.

"It doesn't look good but, hopefully, it's not going to be a sign of things to come. The national team is looking positive at the moment."

Lasley added: "There are more and more teams playing an open, attractive game. You look at Kilmarnock blazing a trail last year, St Mirren, there are plenty of teams out there trying to play the right way.

"There have been plenty of good games and good goals scored in the SPL and I just hope it doesn't get put down as much as it probably, unfortunately, will."