Gus MacPherson insists Celtic and Rangers will always rule the roost in Scotland due to their financial might.
Buddies boss admits teams making up the numbers
St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson insists Celtic and Rangers will always rule the roost in Scotland due to their financial might.
While many SPL clubs have been forced to slash budgets following the demise of Setanta, the Old Firm pair remain relatively strong.
MacPherson believes that regardless of the financial climate the Glasgow duo's coffers will always be significantly more healthy than the chasing pack.
The Buddies tactician believes that on any given day his team could beat either of the clubs, but admits it is simply not a fair fight over the course of a season.
When asked if he felt a non-Old Firm team would ever win the SPL title, MacPherson replied: "That won't happen in my lifetime.
Financial clout
"Let's not kid ourselves, the quality of Scottish football is not what it once was. But the Old Firm are still the clubs with the money and the supporter base that sets them aside from the rest of us.
"The collapse of the television deal with Setanta and the need for clubs like mine to slash their budgets means both my hands are tied behind my back.
"Celtic and Rangers don't have that problem. They'll always win the league because they've got most of the money and they can bring in better players than I can.
"It all comes down to financial clout. How can the rest of us compete when we're at such a disadvantage? If a club like mine got a new owner in and he tried to compete with the Old Firm in monetary terms, it would lead to total catastrophe for us.
"I will always fancy my chances against Celtic or Rangers over 90 minutes and so will my fellow managers. But to match them over a 38-game title race is impossible."
