As per usual, the main talking point in Scottish football right now surrounds the Old Firm as they both battle it out for the Premiership title. This is the first proper title race since Rangers returned to the top flight in 2016, as Philippe Clement has rejuvenated the Light Blues after taking over in mid-October, turning them from a club in crisis to potential treble winners.
With two derby clashes left, the battle could go down to the wire in what should be the most exciting climax for years.
Has this perhaps stolen the limelight from another pulsating title race in Scotland? As the Championship is shaping up to provide the most thrilling finish in the SPFL.
Last season, 32 points separated champions Dundee from bottom side Cove Rangers, yet between first and sixth position, there was only an eight point difference, showcasing how tightly contested the division was.
In comparison, the Premiership saw a staggering 48 points separate Celtic from St Mirren in sixth, while the difference between the same positions in League One and Two were 30 and 26 points respectively.
The 2023/24 campaign is no different. There is an enthralling title race going on, a fierce battle for the remaining two playoff positions, plus a battle to see who avoids the relegation playoff spot.
The question is, why does the Scottish Championship fail to get the plaudits it deserves? Despite being the most exciting league in the country.
Relegation scrap
Two seasons ago, Arbroath were swiftly becoming everyone’s second team. The part timers from Angus exceeded all expectations under the wily Dick Campbell, finishing in second place.
They suffered an agonising defeat in the playoffs to Inverness and it has been all downhill from there. The Red Lichties look condemned to League One, but the battle to see who will finish ninth is tight.
Ayr United are only six points clear of Inverness, while Queens Park are just four points better off and while this may not be as exciting as the scrap at the top of the table, everything is to play for at the bottom.
The Promotion playoff battle
Now, this is where things begin to get exciting. Airdrie, Morton, Dunfermline, and Partick Thistle are the four teams vying for third and fourth spot in the table.
Partick appear to be running away with third place, currently holding an eight point advantage over Dunfermline, but nothing is a foregone conclusion in Scotland’s second tier.
The Pars won the League One title last season, achieving an impressive 81 points and have acquitted themselves well.
Morton and Airdrie are arguably two of the most promising teams in the league. Dougie Imrie oversaw a 16-game undefeated run earlier this season which vaulted the side up the table, but they have Airdrie breathing down their necks.
Player-manager Rhys McCabe (yes they still exist) was appointed in the role ahead of the 2022/23 season, going on to secure promotion to the Championship.
This season, Airdrie have displayed a wonderful style of football that proves lower league clubs can still play a possession based game which looks easy on the eye and have success while doing so.
Indeed, McCabe led the Diamonds to Challenge Cup success recently, defeating Welsh side TNS in the final to win the trophy for the first time in 15 years.
They may occupy sixth place, but the club do have two games hand over some of their rivals. The former Rangers player will be looking to use the cup success as a catalyst for an impressive finish to their league campaign.
Murrayball, Dundee United and the race for the title
By all accounts, Dundee United should have won the title by now. Relegated from the Premiership last season, Jim Goodwin’s side certainly have the biggest budget in the division, yet far too often they have looked lackadaisical, losing five and drawing eight of their 31 fixtures thus far.
Hardly the form of runaway league winners, while also having to contend with a spirited Raith Rovers side led by former Rangers and Hibs defender Ian Murray.
The ‘Murrayball’ moniker is obviously a tongue in cheek reference to the Michael Lewis book Moneyball, which features Billy Beane and his sabermetric approach to Baseball in order to overachieve with the Oakland Athletics, who have the lowest budget in the MLB.
Of course, Raith don’t have the lowest budget in the Championship, nor has Murray revolutionised the sport. Considering they finished seventh and fifth in the previous two seasons, something has clicked this season, though, no doubt about it.
Off the pitch, a new board have transformed the club’s prospects, which has seen average attendances rise. While on the field, Murray has installed a never say die approach in his team.
Trailing 2-1 to Queens Park in November with minutes to go and down to ten men, ‘Murrayball’ came into effect. By the time the final whistle went, Raith had won 3-2.
This was followed by late winners against Inverness, Arbroath and Dundee United as the Kirkcaldy club began to give United a run for their money at the top of the table.
Despite losing to the Arabs last weekend, Raith were undefeated against Goodwin’s team across their three previous matches, showing how far they have come since the end of last season.
Murray’s side trail United by four points, albeit with a game in hand, heading into the final weeks of the campaign.
While Arbroath look destined for the drop, the rest of the division is shaping up to have quite the thrilling finish.
All eyes will be on the Old Firm, yet there is plenty more going on in the second tier. The Championship may not just be the most exciting leagues in Scotland, but it has a valid case for being one of the most underappreciated divisions in Britain.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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