Kieran Maguire: Rangers and Celtic have ‘hit their peak’ as Bisgrove ‘concerned’
Rangers and Celtic may have squeezed as much cash as possible from the SPFL TV deal.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the future of the Old Firm brand.
Celtic thumped Rangers 3-0 on Wednesday (2 February), their first win over their fierce rivals since December 2019.
Per the Glasgow Times last Thursday (27 January), Gers commercial chief James Bisgrove admitted his โconcernโ over the SPFLโs broadcast revenue.
He revealed that he believes the leagueโs decision-makers should be doing more to capitalise on the huge interest generated by Rangers and Celtic.
But Maguire suggests that the SPFL may simply have reached peak broadcast income and extra revenue would have to be found elsewhere.
โI think the broadcasters utilise the Old Firm brands as much as they can,โ he told Football Insiderโs Adam Williams.
โThere are many great things about the rivalry, although there are some things that donโt help the brand.
โYou have to look at it from a holistic point of view. Could they convert it into something else in terms of additional money? Thereโs limited scope for that.
โAll of the Old Firm matches are automatically broadcast. Perhaps theyโve hit a peak in terms of who they reach.
โPeople will tune in but then you have to wait X months for the next one to take place.โ
Celticโs victory on Wednesday lifted them above Rangers in the race for the Scottish Premiership title.
Rangers are in action against Hearts today (6 February), while Celtic take on Motherwell.
In other news, Paddy Kenny issues โunbelievableโ Rangers verdict after what he saw against Celtic.