How things do change. Normally the target of ridicule in football circles over the last decade, Scotland is now experiencing an upturn in its fortunes both internationally and domestically. What many people wonder however is whether this change in fortunes is merely temporary or signals a long term growth of Scottish football?
About 5 years ago Scottish football was on the brink of complete financial meltdown. The Scottish FA and also most of the clubs where harbouring serious debts that were only growing. This came from the period of ‘chasing the dream’ that Leeds Utd fans only know to much about. Every club in the Premier League was spending more on transfers and in particular wages than they could afford. It wasn’t just Rangers and Celtic who were splashing the cash so the whole league was suffering. The problem with this was that this spending didn’t improve the quality of football as much of the cash was being spent on over the hill foreigners who were only looking for one last big pay day.
By doing this it meant that young Scottish players weren’t allowed to progress and their growth was stunted. The international team suffered because of this and for a few years had to rely on older players who to be honest weren’t of the required quality for that stage or players who qualified to play through great-great-great grandparents. A lack of real quality young players emerging was a major problem for years mainly because the clubs just didn’t focus on it and preferred to try and buy success. When the money ran out however this philosophy had to be addressed and a shift of focus was needed.
At one point Rangers were in £80 million pound of debt and that was rising. Celtic were over £30 million and the other clubs were also in heavy debts with some also reaching double figures when it came to millions. After the realisation that this couldn’t continue a major restructuring of the finances was needed and was implemented. Rangers have now reduced there debts to about £6 million and Celtic are about the same. All clubs in the league have reduced their debts and now operate at a profit with the exception of Hearts.
The emergence of youth in Scottish football in the last few years has truly been a breath of fresh air. The most productive of clubs in terms of youngster has been Hibs. They have produced some of the best talent in Scottish football who have subsequently moved on to other clubs. Rangers have also started to produce some talented youngsters also but even other clubs have contributed. Even though some of the smaller clubs aren’t able to keep hold of these young players it benefits them financially and also gives the national team a much greater pool of talent in which to choose from.
The Scottish national team has went from being 72nd in the world rankings to being 13th, there highest ever rankings and only two places behind England. The main reason why the national team has progressed the way it has is that the national attitude has changed. A major part of the problem that hindered the progress of Scottish football was its great tradition of a having an inferiority complex. It’s always been the way of Scotland to always compare itself with England and have gripes with them. Recently however there been far greater emphasis on Scotland’s own problems and how to address them.
After Berti Vogts left Scotland needed a strong manager who could lift the team but also have the know how to get results on the pitch. Walter Smith was that man. He brought belief to the team and this then transferred into results and there was no looking back. Alex McLeish has carried on the good work that Walter Smith started and the feel-good factor has filtered down to the domestic game. Now Scottish clubs are competing much better in European competitions were as before they were seen as whipping boys. England’s domestic game is far greater than Scotland’s in every aspect pretty much but not the same could be said for the national game. England could do worse than following the way Scotland has transferred its national team around and adopting the same principals.
Scottish football has put in a lot of work to ensure stability in its game and if the same ethics applied in the past 3 years are continued then the game can only improve. If they fail to stay true to these and fall back into the traps of before then disaster is inevitable. However I think it's safe to say that Scottish football has certainly learned from its mistakes.