Scottish football’s standing on the world stage has diminished over time. However, every so often a team outside the the Old Firm dominance throws up some enjoyable moments.
For what Scottish football lacks in genuine football talent, they make up for with passion, history and great storylines.
Scotland holds some of the most storied and long-standing clubs in the world. Celtic and Rangers are the obvious examples, known worldwide for their fierce rivalry.
Aberdeen and Dundee United were once prominent in Europe during the 1980s; those days now seem a long time ago.
One of the oldest clubs, Queens Park FC, was founded in 1867 and continues today playing in League Two of the Scottish football system. However, it’s Inverness Caley Thistle – founded 20 years ago – that has become the early story of the SPFL this season.
They sit top of the table after four games and are yet to concede a goal. Their recent 1-0 result against Celtic was a surprise and continued their impressive early form. Celtic was under-strength looking towards midweek Champions League football, but it was a terrific performance from Inverness nonetheless.
Under John Hughes the Highland team looks sharp, organised and energised. For large periods of the match they were able to outplay and hold possession against their more highly rated opponents.
While Celtic will most likely turn around this early season set back and win a 46th top division title, the challenge of Caley Thistle brings freshness to the Scottish game that it so desperately needs.
In the 2013/14 season St Johnstone and Aberdeen broke the Celtic stranglehold, winning the Scottish FA Cup and League Cup respectively.
It was a pleasant change to what we see in leagues all over the world, not just Scotland, where you can lock in the teams who will walk away with silverware each season.
If we stopped the season now, after four games I know, we would have Inverness Caley Thistle as champions, Hamilton Accies and Dundee United in Europa League qualification, with Celtic in fifth spot and no European football.
Dare to dream?
Scottish football does not have world class facilities, high transfer fees and multi-million dollar player contracts. They have competitiveness, passion, history and are a proud footballing nation who has produced some of the greatest managers and players to set foot on a football pitch. There is no doubting their contribution to the world game – some might say it’s football as it should be.
Inverness might fall away once the season goes on, with Celtic’s class rising to the top once again, but for now I am going to enjoy the ride of the Jags.
Scottish football needed something fresh, I am glad we are getting it, even if only for a short while.
Bravo, Caley Thistle.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Time to bring back Third Lanark!
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Motherwell, St Johnstone and Aberdeen have been representing us Ben, but no one can past the qualifiers!!! It's so tough now to even get into the first round proper. Aberdeen had to play FC Groningen from Holland (they did supremely well to beat them) and then were knocked out by Real Sociedad.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think the best us Scots can hope for in the short term is a more competitive league which in turn will (hopefully) lead to a better product. The Old Firm are both a curse and a boon to the league in that their size and dominance has made the league a 2 team procession since the early 90s. Unfortunately Scottish football became dependant on the revenue they created at the same time. Rangers' financial implosion has had knock on effects - I can't believe it's a coincidence that both Edinburgh teams are in the 2nd tier also - and the current top division is dire in terms of quality. However, there are positive effects such as the re-emergence of Aberdeen and an improved Dundee United showing. Those two formed the 'New Firm' of the 80s that made the Scottish product such a fine one at the point. I grew up in Aberdeen during the Ferguson era and there was a genuine European force on show there. The game has moved on and the saturation TV coverage of the big European leagues has killed many of the more 'provincial' leagues. The likes of Caley however prove a tonic and there is a decent size regional fan base for them to appeal to. Motherwell under Stuart McCall have performed minor miracles domestically and St Johnstone obviously won the Scottish Cup last season. Celtic whether as a direct consequence of no Rangers or other reasons are going hugely backwards in terms of the quality of their team and size of their attendances. A more competitive domestic product (not necessarily of a higher quality) will hopefully be the result. That in turn could hopefully lead to better (non Old Firm) attendances around the country. From there you can build the quality presumably through a focus on youth development. If the Edinburgh clubs could then sort themselves out we have a far more interesting landscape again. Maybe Rangers not coming up this season would be a blessing in terms of compressing the league and leaving Celtic without their prime motivation again.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Nice to see a positive article about Scottish football. Rangers' demise and Celtic's recent performances certainly make one wonder if it may be time for someone else to be representing Scotland in Europe.