Old Firm chaos good for Scottish football claims Jim Jefferies

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies has argued that the chaos surrounding last night's Old Firm encounter was positive for Scottish football.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan was "deeply embarrassed" by the angry confrontations during and after Celtic's 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Rangers, which he claimed cast the game in a "poor light".

But Jefferies believes the encounter - which saw three Rangers players sent off and Celtic boss Neil Lennon being pulled apart from Rangers assistant Ally McCoist - can only increase Scottish football's broadcasting revenue potential.

Jefferies said: "It was tasty, wasn't it? In terms of the application side of things, obviously a bit spilled over from the game the previous week.

"It just sparked off. It was a very tense situation and probably (Scottish Premier League chief executive) Neil Doncaster will be the one who will be happy because it was good telly viewing at times.

"Maybe not the football, but certainly the passion and all that. That's what they're saying TV wants."

Jefferies categorically dismissed claims that the unrest was a disaster for the Scottish game.

He said: "How is it a disaster? It will show around the world how much it means when Celtic and Rangers play.

"That derby is known the world over as one of the most competitive there is. Yesterday will highlight it.

"I think they're making it more out of order than it actually was."

Jefferies downplayed the post-match rumpus between Lennon and future Rangers manager McCoist, who had almost clashed in the first half as the Celtic manager remonstrated with El-Hadji Diouf, who was sent off after the final whistle.

"It was run of the mill stuff," the former Kilmarnock manager said.

"We've all been there and done it. It's a little taster for the future."