Motherwell manager Graham Alexander insists all of Scottish football should throw their support behind Rangers as they bid to reach the Europa League Final.
Alexander is well aware tribal loyalties within football means that won’t be the case when Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s charges line up against RB Leipzig in their semi-final clash.
But the Well boss is adamant that Rangers Euro run is beneficial for the whole of Scottish football as it shines a positive light on the game.
Motherwell agreed to bring their Premiership clash with Rangers forward by 24 hours in order to give the Ibrox outfit more time to prepare for Thursday’s semi-final first leg in Germany.
Alexander revealed he and chief executive Alan Burrows took into consideration the bigger picture of Scottish football as they agreed to the switch.
And believes Rangers progression in continental competition is massive for the Scottish game.
Asked if everyone should get behind Rangers and hope they progress to the final, Alexander said: “I understand the tribal side of it, but for the bigger picture of Scottish football - which is what Alan Burrows and I discussed last week - for us as a club, because we’re part of it, for the co-efficient in the league, it’s a better scenario.
“The only issue I had was that it took so long to make the decision from the initial conversations but when we discussed the reasons why it was hard to have a counter-argument. It was all common sense.
“For five Scottish clubs to be playing in Europe next season is brilliant.
“It certainly adds to the competition within the SPFL. The prizes are right there. It would be a real feel good factor.
“You have to win some games and you’re not just making up the numbers but it puts the spotlight on Scottish football and helps attract better players, from Rangers and Celtic to the next tier and next tier. It’s massive.
“That was part of our thinking when we spoke to Alan on Friday morning when this request came through and it was all about the coefficient and being better for Scottish football as a whole.
“Obviously we’re part of that and I believe all of us as clubs have a responsibility to make Scottish football be better, look better, produce better.
“You get respect on an international or European stage by success on the pitch and it reflects on the teams, the country and the league that you are in. It’s only natural.
“It’s really big for our clubs to go and handle themselves really well, try and achieve success and shine a light on how good the Scottish game is, without a doubt.”
Alexander reckons Rangers progression in Europe can help Motherwell attract better players as it raises the profile of the league.
He said: “Definitely. We’ve recruited players from abroad and we talk to them about the SPFL, the opportunity of European football, Motherwell ’s history of playing European football, playing against teams who’ve got to European finals.
“It’s the whole profile of the game. It’s not just us.
“We highlight what we’re about and the picture of what players are coming to join. But the league and the profile of it, the amount of coverage the Scottish Premiership gets, it’s a big thing for players.
“For instance, the players we’ve recruited from abroad, they could get more money down south in League Two, even probably in the National League than what we pay, easily.
“But we offer a better chance of playing international football for their counties, or qualifying for European competition.
“So the profile of it is really important because players need to make a living and we understand that. But they also want to achieve things in their careers and I think that’s where Scottish football can supersede having more money.”
