Simon Parker column

Watching the Rangers saga unfold in Scotland brings to mind turkeys voting for Christmas.

Those clubs who voted in kicking the blue half of the Old Firm out of the SPL might as well have signed its death warrant.

A league that was always about only two clubs now has just one. Nice going, boys.

Try putting a bet on Celtic to defend their title. You’ll be offered odds of 33-1 on at best … Some will try to spin it by suggesting that the race for second place is wide open. Presumably these same bookies are busy chalking up prices for fourth spot in the Olympic 100 metres.

There’s no denying that Rangers broke the rules and needed to be punished heavily. Scotland had to make an example of one of their powerhouses.

Three years of exile from Europe will hit hard. But surely a hefty points deduction would have made the point domestically.

Deciding to jettison them completely from the top division is pure madness.

By dropping Rangers, they have removed any competition whatsoever from Celtic.

Now watch the sponsors and TV scuttle away. Try selling that product to potential advertisers… Meanwhile, Rangers can’t find a pre-season friendly at the moment; in fact, they cannot find a league for now.

At best, they will start again in the Scottish First Division – otherwise it will be alongside the likes of Elgin and Montrose in the Third.

The damage to the club will be immense. But nothing compared with the long-term effects that will hit Scottish football in general.