SML - Scottish Mediocre League

I do not want to be the kind of Premier League football fan that sits on his own pedestal and belittles other leagues around Europe. True, I do believe The Premier League to be the best in Europe, but that is not to say that Serie A, La Liga and even the Bundesliga do not offer some form of entertainment.

Occasionally I will even consider watching the Scottish Premier League, because at least 4 games a season will be worth a watch (the Old Firm derbies between Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers), and I tend to keep an eye on the lower leagues because there's always a decent betting opportunity (Peterhead 4/7 to beat Alloa at home). However... recent failings of Scottish players attempting to ply their trade in the Premier League has made me consider just how poor the SPL is.

Shaun Maloney is the most recent Scottish player to make his way back to Glasgow after attempting life south of the border. Maloney joined Aston Villa in January 2007, but never settled, and was constantly linked with a move back. Maloney was a rising star in Scotland, but failed to deliver whilst in the Premier League.

Maloney is not alone. Kenny Miller was a bright talent when he moved down to England, transferring from Rangers to Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, despite Miller helping Wolves achieve promotion, on the whole he never proved to be a success, and returned to Glasgow, this time with Celtic. Miller gave the Premier League one more go with Derby County, but again he failed. Miller is now back at Rangers again, and in the starting line-up for Scotland.

Prior to Miller, was Scotland's darling Barry Ferguson. Ferguson was brought to England by the ever-succesful and never moaning Manager Graeme Souness, and was instantly named Blackburn Rovers Captain. However, Ferguson also never settled into the Premier League and handed in a transfer-request, eventually returning to Rangers for a reduced fee.

On this evidence, the Premier League has become a bigger challenge to adapt to from Scotland than ever before. Our only point of comparison is success in Europe, and Rangers' defeat to FBK Kaunas aside, both Celtic and Rangers have been succesful in Europe, both reaching the Uefa Cup Final and progressing well in the Champions League. However, this success pales in comparison to the Premier League's total domination of the Champions League in recent seasons, so perhaps the conclusion is that both leagues have improved, but the gap between the two has widened.

Further evidence of this lies in David Weir. Weir was simply not good enough to compete in the Premier League anymore, having become too old, and too slow. Rangers took him on, and he competed in 60 of their games last season, not to mention still playing at the heart of the Scotland defence.

The SPL can legitimately be considered a retirement home for ageing footballers, recently Dion Dublin, John Hartson, Roy Keane, Neil Lennon, Chris Sutton and more have made the move north at the end of their careers.