Rangers in Scottish 4th Division

[calgaryballer]

http://m.guardian.co.uk/ms/p/gnm/op/s7L9SLWj7R-X9CuuCukyCgg/view.m?id=15&gid=football/2012/jul/13/rangers-scottish-third-division&cat=sport

Pretty big surprise. As it stands, Rangers could be three divisions below the SPL. Seems like everyone is talking about SPL forming a breakaway second division that includes Rangers and whatever SFL First Division teams want to come

[1ke]

Wooooow. Unreal.

[Bigpapa42]

Holy fuck what a mess. From a pure two-club league a one-club league.

[calgaryballer]

Yup. Hibs, Hearts etc have to get their shot together this year and get second

[citizenerased]

Why is it a shock? Clubs have been coming out all week saying that they would vote for this to happen. Also this is a brand new club, therefore they should start at the bottom tier.

[calgaryballer]

Because Scottish football as a whole needs the Old Firm. Regardless of the 'newness' of the team it is still Rangers. The fans and such will still be there.

[1ke]

Speaking of this type of thing. Anyone see how Portsmouth is doin these days? I think they have 8 senior players left on the team, and they are all up for sale as well. OUCH.

[Bigpapa42]

I'm only surprised in so far as that it could have a big effect on all the Scottish clubs. So far as I've been made to understand, the Old Firm derbies are a big part of the TV deal the league has gotten - I believe with Skysports. To the point that the Scottish Prem wouldn't expand to more clubs as that would mean only 2 Celtic-Rangers matches instead of 4. So by voting to relegate Rangers down to the point where they will take several seasons to return, it could have effect on the TV money that the league gets.