HUDDERSFIELD Town new boy Paul Dixon's first club Dundee could benefit from Rangers’ demise – but the newly-signed defender remains distinctly worried about football in his native Scotland.
As the stricken Glasgow club wait to discover at what level they will be playing next season – teams from Scottish Divisions I, II and III will decide on Friday – the defender who has spent the last four seasons in the Premier League with Dundee United said: “It’s an unbelievable circus, and it’s not doing the game any good at all.
“Rangers are huge, not just a club but an institution, and with their support base and potential income streams, it’s still hard to see how they have got themselves into this situation.
“It’s a huge mess, and every other club in Scotland will feel the effects of it one way or the other.”
With Rangers, relaunched as a new company after the former incarnation could not be saved from liquidation, having their application to replace the old Ibrox club in the Premier League rejected, either Dunfermline or Dundee, where left-back Dixon came through the youth system, will take their place.
Dunfermline, who hosted Town in a pre-season friendly 12 months ago, finished bottom of the top flight while Dundee were runners-up to promoted Ross County in Division I.
“It would be great for Dundee to go up,” added Dixon, 25, who played 111 times for the Dark Blues, scoring twice, before switching to their city rivals on a free transfer.
“But the league is not quite the same without Rangers, and I believe it will be a best of the rest behind Celtic, who will romp to the title.
“In addition, clubs will miss out on the income generated by the games against Rangers, who bring a large support.
“And the longer the situation goes on, the bigger the question mark against Sky maintaining their deal to show games live.”
Dixon, who made 145 appearances for Dundee United and notched five goals, continued: “The best we can hope for is that the clubs who do get games against Rangers next season, be it in Division I or III, enjoy a shot in the arm financially.
“In the long term, it would be best for the game if Rangers returned to the Premier League, but having lost their leading players, they might well find the going tough.”
