McCoist fears for future of Old Firm clashes

Rangers manager Ally McCoist fears there might not be an Old Firm fixture next year if his club's financial crisis is not sorted soon. McCoist expressed his fears after watching his side be crushed 3-0 by Celtic in the final meeting between the Glasgow rivals this season. However, with the threat of liquidation and the possible loss of their place in the Scottish Premier League hanging over Rangers this may be the last match between the Old Firm clubs for some time. Rangers are still searching for a new owner after former chairman Craig Whyte placed the club in administration in February over a £9 million unpaid tax bill but their debt could total over £100 million depending on the verdict of a current tax tribunal case. McCoist said it was essential that the situation was resolved. "I remain very hopeful we will have an Old Firm game next year but you would have to say there is a possibility there might not be," McCoist said. "We have to get something sorted very, very soon. I think I said last week time is not on our side and is not our ally and that's certainly the case at this moment. "All we can do is remain as positive as we can. If you don't have hope you don't have anything. "It was a sore one to take today but I still believe the Old Firm game is the biggest and best product we have in Scotland. "I don't necessarily mean quality on the park at all times but it's certainly a massive product and one we should be proud of. "We will just keep our fingers crossed that something positive will happen in the next 24 or 48 hours for the future of the club." The win leaves Celtic 21 points clear of Rangers, who were docked 10 points after entering administration in February. The Ibrox club have been hit with a 12 month transfer ban and a £160,000 fine after the Scottish Football Association's judicial panel ruled that Rangers had brought the game into disrepute. And worse could come for the Glasgow giants when the Scottish Premier League board meets this week to discuss potential punishments for clubs entering administration and liquidation. Rangers boss McCoist said the Old Firm clubs should potentially be treated differently by the league's governing body because of the impact they have on the Scottish game. However, while admitting he would miss the Old Firm fixture if it was to be lost next season victorious Celtic manager Neil Lennon insisted the Ibrox club had to be punished if they had broken the rules. "I don't want to see the back of it as it really whets the appetite but it's out of my hands," he said. "If you break the rules you should expect to be punished. I cannot comment on what has been going on at another club and the powers that be will deal with it as they see fit. "There is an issue of moral sporting integrity. I understand Ally's point to a certain extent but if you have flouted the laws of football in the capacity they have then I would imagine the powers that be will punish you accordingly. "As a player you would miss Old Firm games terribly but as a manager they are horrible. "Even today there was no real pressure on the game but you are always apprehensive going into it and the build-up is a week in advance. "However, we played well today and we were the better team and proved to be the champions."