Ally McCoist has said it could be 'brilliant' for Manchester City if they are relegated to the National League over their financial rule breaches. The Scotland legend experienced a similar scenario at Rangers and believes the punishment could unite fans behind the 'special' team as it fights back from adversity.
Rangers comparison
McCoist was Rangers' record goalscorer, helping them win nine successive league titles before the club was relegated to Scottish football's fourth tier in 2012 after going into administration. Rangers have since fought their way back and won the Scottish Premier League again in 2021.
City face a similar fate, with experts predicting they will be kicked out of the Premier League after being found guilty of 114 cash rule breaches. Sources have said the English Football League is likely to back the top league and does not want them either, meaning they could be plunged into the fifth tier National League.
McCoist's verdict
McCoist, 64, who scored 19 goals in 61 matches for Scotland, said fans had nothing to fear from what may seem heavy punishment. He said it could be the making of the club, rallying supporters to a cause and potentially triggering an historic bounce back.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said it 'wasn't an ideal situation' for Rangers but added: "It ended up, in a bizarre stroke, being a brilliant experience. It was the last thing we needed but you had to make the most of what it was. It was absolutely incredible - the journey itself. Man City fans will stick by them if that happens. That is something that is special."
Timeline and wider impact
Experts have warned it could be years before City's fate is known. Their punishment may not be revealed before Christmas and an inevitable appeal could rumble on through the courts.
City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak has said: "The Premier League process still has a long way to run and our confidence and intent in proving the club's innocence is just as strong as when this began."
Researchers reckon eight clubs missed out on European football competition places due to the scandal. If City was removed from the final Premier League tables across the nine seasons covered by the charges, Spurs would have appeared in four more Champions Leagues with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton missing out on one each. Analysts from SportsBoom found Everton also missed out on four Europa League appearances, Liverpool two and Manchester United, Southampton and Swansea City one each. They could also have legal claims.
