Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the emergence of the New Firm has brought fresh appeal to Scottish football.
The Dons lead champions Celtic by four points at the top of the Scottish Premiership while Dundee United moved to within a point of Ronny Deila’s side with victory at Hamilton on Monday.
It’s a far cry from the Armageddon scenario painted by SFA chief executive Stewart Regan in 2012 before clubs voted on whether to force Rangers to start all over again in the Third Division.
Regan warned of “social unrest” and claimed such a move “would kill the game.” or leave it “withering on the vine.”
His plea went unnoticed as clubs voted for sporting integrity by making Rangers work their way back up the leagues.
Fast forward to 2015 and it is the Ibrox club which is teetering from one off-field financial crisis to another while languishing 13 points behind Hearts in the Championship.
Both the Dons and United are pushing Celtic hard in the title race and are debt free. United’s form has not gone unnoticed by the Dons manager and he said: “Both clubs have aspirations to get back to the level they were at on a regular basis. We are just flirting with it at the moment, but we’re working hard at trying to sustain it.
“It is good for the league that Aberdeen and Dundee United are competitive. I only look at my club, but if both clubs are doing well it can only be a good thing. United have shown that improvement of late, as we have in the last season and a half, but I am sure both believe there is further improvement to come.”
While the Dons and United are pushing Celtic hard McInnes knows the champions remain the benchmark. The Dons finished 31 points behind the Hoops last season and while McInnes has consistently stated the title is Celtic’s to lose he is pleased with his side’s form.
He said: “We just want to improve ourselves and improve on last season. Whether that means a higher points tally we’ll see. We need to be fortunate with injuries, but we are in a good place. Every manager will tell you they would like another one or two in, and I am are no different.
“If the window shut tomorrow I would be more than happy with what I have got.”
Midfielder Willo Flood, pictured, who missed Saturday’s win at St Mirren due to a family bereavement, will be available for this weekend’s game against Dundee at Pittodrie.