In Glasgow, a term has emerged to describe the shifting dynamics of Scottish football.
As Celtic’s dominance becomes more entrenched both on and off the field, people are talking about the “Espanyolification” of the city’s football scene.
This term draws parallels with Barcelona’s lesser-known football club, Espanyol, which has long existed in the shadow of their famous Catalan neighbors.
In the same way, some now view Rangers’ position in 2025: overshadowed, secondary, and struggling.
Celtic’s Growing Dominance
Celtic fans have embraced the term with pride, while Rangers supporters, despite their deep-rooted loyalty, can’t ignore the fact that this change is real.
The rivalry that once defined Glasgow has shifted, with Celtic now seen as the more successful and dominant force.
This sense of a one-sided rivalry is not lost on anyone, especially when it’s reflected in both teams’ recent performances.
A Different Battle
This Thursday, Rangers will face Manchester United in the Europa League at Old Trafford—a far cry from the historic “Battle of Britain” games that once pitted the best of English football against the top of Scotland’s.
Today, however, both teams are competing in what many would describe as second-tier football.
They find themselves clinging to positions in their respective leagues, just above the cut-off for automatic qualification to the last 16 of the competition.
Ally McCoist, a former Rangers legend, succinctly summed up the situation: “They are both average.”
And that’s the cold reality for both clubs at the moment.
Declining Prestige
There was a time when the banners at Old Trafford and Ibrox proclaimed their teams as the best in the world—United as the “world’s most famous” club and Rangers as the “world’s most successful.”
Today, however, these statements ring hollow.
Celtic now boasts 119 trophies, just one ahead of Rangers, who had a commanding 21-trophy lead at the turn of the century.
Similarly, Manchester United’s legacy is overshadowed by years of mismanagement, particularly under the Glazers, which have significantly diminished their standing in world football.
Financial Struggles and Mismanagement
Both Rangers and United find themselves grappling with financial difficulties, albeit on different scales.
Rangers suffer from the financial limitations of Scottish football, with a modest TV deal that offers only £40 million annually for the entire top flight.
In contrast, Premier League teams like United benefit from TV revenues of around £90 million each.
Yet, both clubs face similar struggles with poor recruitment, leadership challenges, and questionable managerial appointments.
Dave King, a former chairman of Rangers, hit the nail on the head when he spoke about the club’s mismanagement of resources.
“The limited resources we had in competing with our neighbours have had to be applied very smartly.
We have done the opposite—we’ve actually wasted money.”
And the same could easily apply to Manchester United, particularly during the tenure of Erik ten Hag, whose transfer decisions have been under scrutiny.
The Struggle for Competitiveness
The situation is dire for both clubs.
In Scotland, Rangers’ hope to catch up with Celtic depends on returning to the Champions League—a source of revenue that could bridge the financial gap.
Yet, to do so, they must first outpace Celtic, a task that seems increasingly difficult.
This vicious cycle of trying to catch up and failing to be smart with investments has left Rangers looking broken.
Rangers’ squad is filled with players who might struggle to compete at the highest levels, while Manchester United, despite their rich history, are now fighting to even secure a place in the Premier League’s top half.
It’s a sad reflection of their once-glorious past and current reality.
The Youth Development Dilemma
In addition to these financial challenges, both teams struggle with developing young talent.
Rangers are plagued by a lack of Scottish players coming through their ranks, while United’s difficulty with integrating young talent like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho points to the same underlying issue: clubs struggling to strike the right balance between nurturing homegrown talent and competing at the highest level.
The Scottish game is also facing its own crisis, with reports suggesting that the country’s youth development system is failing to produce enough players in the 17 to 21 age group.
This gap in the system contributes to the difficulty Rangers face in assembling a competitive squad that can challenge Celtic and other top European clubs.
The Managerial Conundrum
Both Rangers and Manchester United have been through a series of managerial changes.
Rangers, since the departure of Ally McCoist in 2014, have gone through six managers, with no long-term stability.
Similarly, United have had six managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
This managerial instability has only added to their woes, as it creates an environment of uncertainty and inconsistency.
Despite this, both clubs are reluctant to change their current managers.
Rangers can’t afford to sack their manager Philippe Clement, and United, while struggling under Ruben Amorim, would face massive backlash if they dismissed him so soon after his appointment.
A Long Road Ahead
For both clubs, the road ahead is challenging.
Rangers, who made their return to the Scottish Premiership in 2016 after financial collapse, won the title in 2021 and reached the Europa League final the following year.
However, they are currently 13 points behind Celtic.
Similarly, United, despite some recent successes, find themselves languishing in 13th place in the Premier League.
This Thursday’s match at Old Trafford will be a stark reminder of just how far both clubs have fallen.
Although Rangers will bring thousands of fans to Manchester, it will hardly be the “Battle of Britain” of yesteryear.
Instead, it will feel like a meeting of two once-great clubs now trying to find their way amidst a landscape that has changed beyond recognition.
The question for both teams remains: how do they rise again, and will they ever return to the level of greatness they once enjoyed?b
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