Murray welcomes Hearts challenge

Rangers chairman David Murray has welcomed the prospect of a more competitive Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Aberdeen were the last non-Old Firm side to win the title in 1985.

But, ahead of this season, Hearts major shareholder Vladimir Romanov has charged George Burley with the task of breaking the Glasgow monopoly on the top two places.

Hibernian and Aberdeen both improved immeasurably under the stewardship of new bosses, Tony Mowbray and Jimmy Calderwood, last season.

Murray told The Scotsman: “We welcome the challenge from Hearts. There is no other league in the world that has been dominated by two teams like this one.

“The most important thing for Scottish football this season is that Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen, we all start beating each other.

“It makes it better for everyone. If Rangers and Celtic are not being challenged then the overall standard will not improve for everyone – including Rangers and Celtic.”

Gers boss Alex McLeish has recently admitted that television companies may soon look for the Old Firm to link up with the Premiership in England.

Murray has consistently backed the club’s Scottish heritage but he concedes the financial rewards of playing against English teams is tantalising.

He added: “Who will decide if there’s a change? TV companies, or media companies. But we are in no discussions. We wish to play in Scotland, and win in Scotland, and use it as our base.

“In two or three years’ time, when the new TV deal comes along, there will be a question mark over the likelihood of people buying a dish when some of the clubs are obviously not as glamorous as they could be.

“If Rangers and Celtic had an extra £20m (€29m) in TV revenue, you’d then have probably £5m (€7.2m) merchandising, and £5m (€7.2m) extra gate revenue.

“The difference would be immense and we’d compete with anyone, domestically or in the Champions League.”

Meanwhile, Anorthosis Famagusta coach Temuri Ketsbaia believes his team can overcome Rangers in the final qualifying round of the Champions League.

The Cypriot side hold a 3-1 advantage over Trabzonspor ahead of the second leg in Turkey next week with the victors drawn against Rangers.

Ketsbaia said: “The Rangers side of today is not as good as the side which played here 10 years ago.

“Now Rangers are definitely beatable. We could have been drawn against many tougher sides than Rangers, even though it is still a hard draw. We’re pleased with and confident of our chances – against Trabzonspor and Rangers.

“If there is a scenario that Trabzonspor play Rangers, I’d tip the Turkish side to beat them.”