RONALD DE BOER reckons Scottish football will struggle to return to its former glory.

The former Holland hero starred for Rangers in a glittering four-year spell.

The Light Blues' financial problems continue to hinder our national game.

De Boer said: "I don't follow it that closely but I always look what the score is at the weekend. It is sad what has happened.

"I have always said that if Rangers and Celtic were in the Premier League they would be amongst teams like Manchester United because of the magnitude of them, the fans and everyone involved in the club.

"Unfortunately they are in a smaller league and it is a shame they can't grow. It is only going downwards.

"It is a shame. I hope it can change but it is going to be difficult because the big leagues are getting bigger and the small leagues are getting smaller.

"We see that with the Dutch league. We can't even win against teams in the Europa League whose names I can't pronounce, whereas before we beat them easily. So the Dutch league is going down."

The top teams from the Eredivisie and Premiership may no longer shine on the European stage but both national teams have enjoyed purple patches.

Holland came third at the World Cup this summer while Scotland have been revitalised under boss Gordon Strachan.

And De Boer hopes the passion for football in Scotland will help aid the long-term recovery.

He said: "It is so difficult. When our best players are 23, they go abroad and we can't keep them. We have to accept that.

"On the other hand, every team can beat each other and that makes the league very exciting.

"I hope that, because the fanbase is still there - everywhere you go there are Scottish people cheering for Celtic or Rangers - that it comes back to what it should be."