Mark
Apr 8 2002, 08:52 PM
Craig Levein has lamented Hearts' latest loss in Glasgow and claimed the time might be right to ditch the Old Firm for the good of Scottish football.
A 2-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox severely weakened Levein's chances of guiding Hearts to a fourth-place finish in the SPL and, with it, a berth in next season's UEFA Cup.
Speaking on the eve of the SPL TV crisis summit at Hampden, the head coach admitted he would be happy to see Celtic and Rangers swap the SPL for life south of the border.
'Put yourself in my position,' urged Levein. 'I am managing a team which, in all reality, can't win the league. We have supporters who are buying season tickets in the knowledge that their team, with the best will in the world, is not going to win the league.
'It's not just Hearts - it's the same for nine other clubs. If they [the Old Firm] left, it would be an opportunity for half-a- dozen teams to win the league and would kick some life back into Scottish football.
'If Aberdeen had the opportunity to win the league - or ourselves, or Hibs or Dundee - the TV money would not be there but we would get more people through the turnstiles.
'Look at Hibs when they won the First Division a couple of years ago. Their crowds were bigger simply because they were winning matches and had the chance to win the league.
'Everyone accepts that Celtic and Rangers will finish first and second in the league and that everyone else will be fighting for European places.
'I don't think anyone could argue with that. If they left, and this is a personal view rather than the club's view, it would be better for me and my players. It's a fairly logical view.'
Levein has been heavily criticised for fielding defensive formations when Hearts travel to Glasgow, as he battens down the hatches in a bid to prevent heavy defeat.
Ironically, he selected a more attack-minded team at Ibrox yesterday as he sought to keep pace with Aberdeen, Livingston and Dunfermline in the pursuit of European qualification.
The defeat leaves Hearts seven points adrift of fourth place, though, and in desperate need of full points at Pittodrie on Saturday.
No European cash would further impact on Levein's plans for next season, but he remains adamant that Tynecastle chief executive Chris Robinson and his counterparts at the nine other non-Old Firm clubs have a crucial decision to make today.
'I'm guessing with everyone else as to what might happen at the meeting,' added Levein. 'From a financial point of view, Celtic and Rangers being part of the SPL TV channel is the only option.
'But there is also the possibility of Celtic and Rangers leaving the league. I stress that it's only my personal view, but it might at least give a chance to others.'
A 2-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox severely weakened Levein's chances of guiding Hearts to a fourth-place finish in the SPL and, with it, a berth in next season's UEFA Cup.
Speaking on the eve of the SPL TV crisis summit at Hampden, the head coach admitted he would be happy to see Celtic and Rangers swap the SPL for life south of the border.
'Put yourself in my position,' urged Levein. 'I am managing a team which, in all reality, can't win the league. We have supporters who are buying season tickets in the knowledge that their team, with the best will in the world, is not going to win the league.
'It's not just Hearts - it's the same for nine other clubs. If they [the Old Firm] left, it would be an opportunity for half-a- dozen teams to win the league and would kick some life back into Scottish football.
'If Aberdeen had the opportunity to win the league - or ourselves, or Hibs or Dundee - the TV money would not be there but we would get more people through the turnstiles.
'Look at Hibs when they won the First Division a couple of years ago. Their crowds were bigger simply because they were winning matches and had the chance to win the league.
'Everyone accepts that Celtic and Rangers will finish first and second in the league and that everyone else will be fighting for European places.
'I don't think anyone could argue with that. If they left, and this is a personal view rather than the club's view, it would be better for me and my players. It's a fairly logical view.'
Levein has been heavily criticised for fielding defensive formations when Hearts travel to Glasgow, as he battens down the hatches in a bid to prevent heavy defeat.
Ironically, he selected a more attack-minded team at Ibrox yesterday as he sought to keep pace with Aberdeen, Livingston and Dunfermline in the pursuit of European qualification.
The defeat leaves Hearts seven points adrift of fourth place, though, and in desperate need of full points at Pittodrie on Saturday.
No European cash would further impact on Levein's plans for next season, but he remains adamant that Tynecastle chief executive Chris Robinson and his counterparts at the nine other non-Old Firm clubs have a crucial decision to make today.
'I'm guessing with everyone else as to what might happen at the meeting,' added Levein. 'From a financial point of view, Celtic and Rangers being part of the SPL TV channel is the only option.
'But there is also the possibility of Celtic and Rangers leaving the league. I stress that it's only my personal view, but it might at least give a chance to others.'