This Scottish football season has sparked discussions about whether a significant overhaul is needed. The debate revolves around just how many top-tier teams should compete. While there’s been talk about having anywhere from a dozen to a larger number, a fundamental issue looms large: Scotland has been effectively a one or two-team league for an extended period. Despite this reality, there doesn’t seem to be any real change on the horizon. The warnings have been apparent for some time now.
Celtic is set to claim the Premiership Trophy after their match with St Mirren on Saturday, marking their 12th championship in 13 seasons. If Aberdeen falters in the upcoming Scotland Cup final next week, it will also mark Celtic’s sixth domestic success since 2016. This reign of Celtic is essentially unprecedented.
St Mirren’s attendance at Parkhead represents a stark competitive imbalance, especially as they face a financial challenge of around £6 million against Celtic’s estimated £124 million. This situation isn’t Celtic’s wrongdoing; they have been quite successful, raising nearly £300 million from player sales since 2015. Still, it exposes a larger problem in Scottish football. The Rangers’ 2025 season is ending with them 17 points clear of third-placed Hibernian.
No one can dictate how Celtic fans should celebrate their victories, and they do so with exuberance typical of their fan base. “It’s about the fun of Celtic winning while Rangers stumble,” says Andrew H. Smith from Celtic Underground Podcast. “It’s this back and forth. Fans proudly mention more titles, more cups, and even more corner kicks than Rangers. Yet, the memories from the 1990s linger, a time when Rangers were truly a strong rival. Back then, Celtic found themselves at the bottom of the table in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons.
As Callum McGregor lifts the Premiership Trophy this weekend, we’re reminded that it has been 40 years since any teams other than Celtic or Rangers have been champions of Scotland. During the vibrant 1980s, when Aberdeen and Dundee United led the charge, it felt as if a lasting change might be underway. Now, that era feels distant.
Kevin Sterling, who has followed Aberdeen since the late 1960s, reminisces about the past glory. “Winning the Premier League back then felt different,” he notes. “Today’s Premiership Trophy is an unattainable pursuit for us.”
Yet Sterling isn’t consumed by bitterness. Instead, he has come to accept the current dynamics. “Honestly, the Scottish title race is just boring for the rest,” he admits.
Craig Burley once mentioned that what he loved about Celtic was the eerily comforting feeling of always winning. Yes, it’s an odd feeling, but it exists.
Looking back, it’s interesting to see how many teams held the trophy from 1950 to 1965: Rangers, Hibs, Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts, Dundee, and Kilmarnock. During that era, the Scottish Cup often overshadowed the league in prestige. But the shift that came with nine consecutive titles for Celtic altered the landscape, with Rangers caught in their own ambitions during the 1990s.
Brendan Rodgers highlights the demanding nature of his club’s environment, echoing sentiments Martin O’Neill expressed about challenges faced between 2000 and 2005. “Rangers had the talent and resources to perform better in the Champions League,” he recalls, “Even while we dominated the league, each win felt hard fought.”
O’Neill elaborates on the financial aspects. “Rangers were splashing out on top players like Andre Flo, Neil Lennon, and others back then. For Celtic to think about signing experienced players from the Premier League today seems almost absurd.” Economic challenges affect Celtic too.
Richard Goff, a part of the successful Dundee United team in 1983, reflects on those good old days, saying, “We took our success for granted.” Goff has also shared experiences of playing with some of the greats but finds it intriguing to look back now at how unique that team was.
Graeme Souness’s arrival at Rangers in 1986 set the course for Scottish football in a different direction. Goff made his way to Ibrox from Tottenham, and both he and Terry Butcher were sought after by Manchester United as well. With English teams banned from European competitions then, Souness was able to craft a strong squad.
Goff recalls tough matches that tested their skills. “We faced formidable opponents week in and week out. There was talent all around, but it was about staying motivated,” he states.
Supporters represent about 40% of Scottish football revenue. While marketing figures suggest we have the highest attendance per person in Europe, it’s somewhat misleading due to how season ticket sales are counted. The key television deal with Sky Sports is around £30 million a season.
“Belgium transformed their league structure, boasting eight different champions in 15 years, resulting in tripled TV revenues,” shares Gavin Noon. “In contrast, Scotland is stuck in a stagnant cycle, especially following the formation of a ‘new’ league in England in 1992, when Rangers had a wage bill comparable to that of Manchester United.
An important question arises: if one team hasn’t faced real competition for four decades, does it mean they’ve developed better players, capturing talent from the rest of the league?” Noon ponders. “Other leagues, like Croatia’s, do produce players who excel beyond Scotland.” There’s a fear of failure that might be holding back investment in youth academies, despite young Scottish talents still finding pathways to bigger clubs.
Sterling’s train ride from Aberdeen to Glasgow for the 1970 Scottish Cup final was filled with hope as they triumphed. They aim to replicate that feeling next weekend, although it may feel like an uphill battle. Scottish football is in need of a reboot to avoid stumbling through another 40 years of dominance.
