RANGERS' dark dealings have cast a shadow not only over Scottish football, but well beyond.
As light is finally thrown on the consequences they must now face, the breaking news is being closely followed even here in deepest Bavaria.
Andreas Hinkel, who played for Celtic between 2008 and 2011, has met up with his former club during their stay in Stuttgart, and the topic of Rangers' fall is one which he has been anxious to discuss, not least because Hinkel is convinced he would have doubled his tally of championship medals had the Ibrox club played by the rules.
The 30-year-old German international defender did win the title with Celtic four months after arriving from Seville in a £1.9m transfer in January 2008.
However, that was to be the end of Gordon Strachan's side's three-in-a-row as they relinquished their title the following year after being held to goalless draws by Hibs then Hearts in the final two weeks to finish four points behind Rangers.
Hinkel felt bad at the time. He feels much worse now that the alleged wrong-doing by Rangers has come to the surface.
He said: "When we lost the title at the end of the season, it was so tight and he (Strachan) did a great job.
"Now you can see it is a shame. It's shame that Rangers spent so much money when they didn't have any.
"I could have had more titles, because it was so tight. I don't know if it is cheating, but it certainly isn't right, although a lot of clubs do it."
The subject of whether Rangers will be stripped of any trophies will not be broached until all the investi-gations into alleged double contracts, EBTs and non-payment of tax are concluded.
One conclusion which has already been reached, by Hinkel, at least, is that Scottish football will never be the same again as Rangers head into liquidation and the lower divisions.
"There has been big changes in Scottish football," said the full-back who is currently seeking a club after being released by Freiburg.
"To be honest, it is an example. There are times where you have to make decisions. There are rules, and how can you explain to the world, even in the financial crisis, if you don't punish clubs who break the rules? For Scottish football, though, it is not perfect. The Old Firm match made an impact all over the world."
Just as the story of Rangers' demise is making headlines around the globe.
Hinkel expects the next chapter to include Celtic's domination of the championship for the foreseeable future. He said: "I think that will be the case for the next four years, for sure.
"It will also be difficult for Rangers by the time they get back up to the SPL. I'm not sure they can get up to Celtic's level right away."
Hinkel, fully aware of the historic significance of the number, continued: "Celtic can make it 10-in-a-row. When Rangers come back up, they won't have the same finances and Celtic will continue to grow."
The down side predicted for Celtic is that they could find it more difficult to attract players of quality when the lure of the Old Firm matches is removed.
"It is difficult to sign big names and if you don't have the big games and the money to attract them," he mused.
"Things have changed a lot, even from when I signed for Celtic. We had Nakamura and Vennegoor of Hesselink. These guys were world names.
"If you speak to many German fans, they don't know many of the current Celtic team, apart from Samaras."
"I hope Scottish football will get better. I love the country and Glasgow, and it is a shame that it has gone down a bit in recent years."