Jim Jeffries claimed the Old Firm have deteriorated so much someone else could win the SPL next season, reports the Scottish Sun. Kilmarnock boss Jeffries says the financial crisis has affected the big two so badly the rest of Scottish football have almost caught up with them.

It's been 24 years since anyone outside of Rangers or Celtic lifted the title, when Aberdeen won the league in 1985.

He said: "I think all the teams now believe they can get a result against the Old Firm.

"I think it's getting closer and closer every year.

"If you look back over the last few seasons they have lost more and more points.

"Look at what they've dropped this season compared to the year before and the year before that.

"I'm sure they have dropped more now than they have for a long time.

"Unless Rangers and Celtic get major investment, I believe that there's every possibility someone else may win the title. This year I think one of them will have enough to win it again.

"But next year or the year after? Why not someone else?"

Jefferies travels to Parkhead on Saturday hoping to pile on the misery for Tony Mowbray.

He said: "The Old Firm always had that something special.

"Now they are not at the same level, and I say that with all respect.

"You used to have to batten down the hatches every time you went to Parkhead and Ibrox.

"But they are just not as good as they used to be and maybe we can take advantage."