Ranking Scotland's biggest football clubs: beyond trophies and crowds

Introduction to Scotland's football club hierarchy

In Scotland, football club size is a hot topic that sparks endless debate. Is it about historic trophies? The size of the fanbase? Or perhaps memorable highs and lows that define a club’s character? This article dives into the criteria that help rank Scotland’s biggest clubs, going beyond the usual “Old Firm” dominance and injecting some fresh perspective. Whether you swear by titles or loyalty, we’ll explore the evidence and stories that shape this fascinating discussion.

Average attendances: the heartbeat of fan support

One of the most tangible signs of a club’s stature is its ability to draw crowds. Scottish football’s giants, Celtic and Rangers, unsurprisingly lead the way here. Celtic’s iconic Celtic Park, the largest stadium in Scotland, averages nearly 60,000 fans per match. Rangers follow closely with crowds around 50,000. This fanbase size reflects decades of success and cultural significance.

However, size isn’t everything. Queen’s Park, playing at the nation’s second-largest stadium, Hampden Park, barely pulls in 2,000 on average. This disparity shows that a large stadium doesn’t always equate to a large fanbase. Meanwhile, clubs like Aberdeen, Hibernian, and Hearts regularly attract over 15,000 fans, highlighting their strong regional support outside Glasgow.

Smaller cities like Dundee host two clubs, Dundee FC and Dundee United, with attendances around 7,000. Championship sides like Dunfermline Athletic and Raith Rovers, along with League One’s Falkirk, often boast impressive attendance figures relative to their league status, proving passionate football support thrives beyond the Premiership.

Major silverware: the trophy cabinet speaks volumes

When it comes to honours, the Old Firm reign supreme. Rangers have amassed 118 major trophies, narrowly surpassing Celtic’s 116, accounting for more than two-thirds of all Scottish football’s major silverware. This trophy haul includes league titles, Scottish Cups, and League Cups, underscoring their historic dominance.

Aberdeen’s 19 major trophies stand out as the most successful outside Glasgow, thanks largely to the legendary era under Sir Alex Ferguson from 1978 to 1986. During that time, Aberdeen captured prestigious European honours like the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, achievements unmatched by any other Scottish club except Celtic and Rangers.

In recent years, St Johnstone has emerged as a notable contender, securing two Scottish Cups and a League Cup in the last decade, signalling a shift in competitive balance. Hearts and Hibernian continue to hold respectable trophy counts (16 and 10 respectively), while historic clubs like Queen’s Park boast 10 Scottish Cups, albeit mostly from the 19th century.

Top-flight prestige: staying power counts

Maintaining status in Scotland’s top tier is a badge of honour. Celtic, Aberdeen, and Motherwell have never been relegated, a testament to their consistency and resilience. Motherwell’s uninterrupted Premiership run since 1985 has earned them sixth place in all-time Scottish top-flight points — a remarkable feat given their smaller size compared to the Old Firm.

Conversely, clubs like Hearts, Hibernian, Dundee United, and Dundee have experienced multiple relegations, shaking their reputations. Rangers’ enforced drop to the lower leagues in 2012 due to financial issues was a seismic event in Scottish football and a reminder that even the biggest clubs are vulnerable.

Historical league performance, combined with recent stability, helps define a club’s prestige. For example, the fact that clubs such as Motherwell avoided relegation due to other clubs failing stadium criteria adds nuance to the traditional relegation battle narrative.

Tinpottery moments: when big clubs act small

Every club, no matter how big, has its embarrassing or quirky moments — what some might call 'tinpottery'. This term covers everything from administrative mishaps to odd promotions or fan engagement strategies that missed the mark.

Falkirk provides classic examples: in 2016, they promoted a pitch-side hot tub experience for fans, a novel but arguably gimmicky idea. Their prolonged stay in Scotland’s third tier also challenges their big-club status. Similarly, Partick Thistle’s amusing distribution of pizzas as man-of-the-match awards adds a humorous twist to their identity.

Other clubs have faced financial challenges or odd situations: Hamilton’s £1m vishing fraud wiped out savings, and one of their stands doubles as a supermarket goods entrance — a rather unglamorous feature. St Mirren’s temporary rebranding of their club shop to a 'Celtic shop' raised eyebrows, while Kilmarnock and Livingston’s lack of natural grass pitches signals practical constraints.

Even the Old Firm have their tinpot moments. Rangers’ tumultuous years in the lower leagues were marked by bizarre incidents, and Celtic’s failure to secure a historic 10-in-a-row league titles after nine consecutive wins was a major disappointment for fans.

Conclusion: who truly ranks as Scotland's biggest club?

Ranking Scotland’s football clubs is no simple task. While Celtic and Rangers dominate in attendance and silverware, clubs like Aberdeen, Hearts, and Hibernian boast rich histories and loyal followings that challenge the Old Firm’s hegemony. Stability in the top flight and memorable club moments — both triumphant and tinpotty — add further layers to this complex picture.

Ultimately, the debate is as much about passion and identity as it is about statistics. Whether your club is a trophy-laden giant or a plucky underdog with devoted fans, every team contributes to the rich tapestry of Scottish football culture. For more insights into Scottish football and club histories, explore the detailed coverage on Sports Scoop, your go-to source for UK sports news.