Jason Cundy and Andy Halliday got into a heated discussion about the relevance of clubs like Rangers and Celtic to the British footballing ecosystem.

Halliday and a few members from the Open Goal Podcast joined Cundy live on talkSPORT after Celtic’s 4-1 defeat to Benfica on Thursday night.

That result saw the talkSPORT host question if Scottish clubs are actually as big as their supporters think they are.

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Jason Cundy does not see Rangers and Celtic as European powerhouses

Halliday argued that both Old Firm sides are powerhouses in Europe because of the stature of the clubs and also the history involved. Before the Premier League came into existence and inflated English football’s broadcasting revenues, Scottish sides were considered to be just as big in a European context.

The former Gers midfielder also argued that the two clubs are among the most supported in world football and that having such a passionate fanbase counts for something. However, Cundy was having none of that.

He laughed off suggestions of the Light Blues and the Hoops being heavyweights in the modern game, and told Halliday to stop living off history and focus on the present.

Halliday told talkSPORT: “In terms of size, you know, the stature of the clubs, the history of the clubs, the fan base of the clubs, for me, there’s no doubt whatsoever that Rangers and Celtic are European powerhouses.

Cundy, in a heated tone, responded: “No you’re not!”

Halliday then replied: “You cannot tell me that Rangers and Celtic aren’t one of the most supported clubs in world football. If Rangers and Celtic had half the finances that clubs and the Premier League had.”

To which Cundy said: “In a thousand years’ time, there will be some idiot sitting there like you, saying exactly the same thing. And then nothing will have changed. You can’t live off history. You make history. You can’t live off history.”

Andy Halliday makes an absolutely valid point

Rangers and Celtic have a rich history and despite all the derbies and chaos in English football, fans still talk about the Old Firm being one of the best, if not the best, derbies in the game. The rivalry between the two clubs is so much beyond geography and that is what makes it so special.

Halliday makes an important point about the finances. If Rangers had £100m and £150m to spend every summer, they could easily attract the best players in the world and would thus become contenders to win the Champions League as well.