Rangers became the first club from outside the continent's major leagues to see over a million fans attend its home league matches last season. The overall number of spectators in Scotland's highest division also surpassed four million for the first time, while the average match attendance rose by three percent.
In the current standings, Rangers are placed second, trailing the leaders by a narrow margin. A recent win in the derby underscores the fierce competition that fuels interest in the league.
Scottish football enjoys record attendance levels
Attendance records have been set in Scottish football, with only a handful of European nations drawing larger total crowds. When adjusted for population size, Scotland's attendance rate is among the highest. According to published reports, millions of fans attended men's football matches in the recent campaign.
Celtic also attracted more than a million spectators to its home league games, making it another club from outside the major leagues to do so. The total number of fans was greater when including all tournament matches.
Scottish FA targets youth development
Proposals have been put forward by the Scottish FA to give young players more minutes on the pitch, with a vote planned for later this year. This initiative comes as Scotland's share of locally developed players is below the European average, with only a few countries having a lower proportion. The goal is to nurture local players during a period of increased fan engagement demonstrated by the high attendances.
Rangers will next play at home against Kilmarnock. Fans can view the complete fixture list on the club's website. The team's form and standing offer a good foundation as they look to build on the energy from their large supporter base.
