There is a misconception that football in the north of Britain is boring, pointless and doesn’t mean much. This is a horrible statement and couldn’t be further from the truth. Yes, we do seem to have two teams dominating the top division and if you don’t know who they are then you probably shouldn’t be reading this.

I have heard from many different people that they think Scottish teams would struggle in the English Championship never mind the Premiership. If the all SPL teams ventured down there then I’m pretty sure they would struggle but only due to the fact that English second tier sides get more money than top tier Scottish clubs who feature in European competition and have some of the biggest fan bases around the world. If they were to move down and be in the same financial situation (which would obviously take a few years) but in theory, if they were then I have no doubt that they would be more than a match for sides in the Championship and in time the Premiership as well.

A prime example of this is when in 2003, Celtic reached the UEFA Cup final and along the way they managed to beat two English Premiership sides in Liverpool and Blackburn. In recent years both sides of the Old Firm have played against Manchester United in the Champions League group stage and managed to grind out fantastic results.

As for the football up here, it is as exciting as you will get. Yes, I am being serious. There is room for improvement and time for a change in the league set-up but it’s always great value to watch. I know a lot of people will disagree with me but I would much rather watch an SPL game than a Premiership game. The hype many of the “big” games get down south is simply embarrassing and the football could be said to be the same in many of these games.

This could just be me that feels this way but the best value for football you will get is junior football in Scotland; and now that teams from the junior leagues are eligible to play in the Scottish Cup it just keeps getting better and better. There is not much of a difference between junior sides and lower level senior sides. Irvine Meadow put together a fantastic run in their first season in the Scottish Cup but finally fell to Hibernian in the fourth round.

It has been said though that these junior teams are big fish in a small pond and being realistic they would probably struggle in the senior ranks.

Scottish football is well supported, the figures for gate receipts may not show this but there are thousands of fans throughout Scotland and beyond. You just have to take a look at the numerous forums, websites and fan clubs around the world to see the vast numbers you are actually dealing with. The passion and belief that these fans show is second to none and it’s a shame it isn’t more widely reported on.

There is always the stereotype that no team can touch Celtic or Rangers, which has been true in a league sense for a good number of years but when you actually break down results, look at what could happen and look at cup shocks and upsets then they are by no means invincible. They are the force in Scottish football but this might not be the case in a few years time. There are plenty of sides who can match them on ability and passion but the Old Firm have a knack at grinding out results and if the other sides could just learn to do this too then the SPL has the potential to be one of the most hotly contested leagues in the world.

Look at the Premiership; for the last seven or eight years it has been the “big four” with Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Now Tottenham, Manchester City and others have caught up with these times and are challenging for trophies domestically and in Europe.

Basically where you can, watch any matches in Scotland and I assure you it won’t disappoint. You’ll get the odd ‘dour’ game but all in it is a great place to watch football whether it be SPL or grassroots level. Trust me.