Time for big clubs to add a Dutch of class

THERE are only two things I can’t stand in this world. Those who are intolerant of other people’s cultures – and the Dutch.

Austin Powers’s dad was being harsh on the folk from the Netherlands.

The Hollanders are in general a great bunch. Unless you stick a load of them in a dressing room and the chances are they’ll end up fighting like cats in a sack.

But when it comes to football, these guys tend to lead the way. Their national side hasn’t qualified for the last two finals but rather than sitting back and hoping things will come good again, they get off their backsides and try to do something about it.

The league set-up gets ripped up along with the artificial pitches but more impressively is this suggestion the big boys start to share some of the dough.

As part of the sweeping changes, Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord are willing to hand over 10 per cent of their Euro bounty to the other clubs.

The money is meant to help the wee teams get rid of the plastic surfaces but the principle alone is admirable. We’ve always looked at the Dutch with the lovey dovey eyes. They seemed to have cracked it when it comes to football so we’ve often tried to beg, steal and borrow their ideas.

Well, how about we nick this one?

At the end of the season when Celtic and Rangers count the beans from their continental runs, how about they share some of the love?

Aye right! To think the Old Firm would agree to that one. Celtic would have had to pay out £4million last summer if that system was in place.

Peter Lawwell would need to be waterboarded into agreeing that one while their pals across the city are just as unlikely to put their hand in their pocket to help those less fortunate.

Just look at their statement this week about the cup tickets. All that was missing at the end was #GIRUP Ye Dons.

It’s not just the Old Firm in it for themselves. They all are. If Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts or anyone else managed to go on a Euro run and make a few quid, do we really think they’d happily sign over a chunk for the greater good?

That’s the problem with Scottish football. There’s rampant self-interest at every level and every single decision reeks of “what’s in it for us?”

It’s short-sighted though. Scottish football, for all it’s lunacies, is on the up. It’s no coincidence the league has got a lot more interesting with Rangers back, Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen all strong on the pitch and on the balance sheets.

Bigger picture, the more good sides, the better the product. Improved teams drive improvement from others, the standard rises, the game becomes more competitive and attractive to television punters and – more importantly – sponsors.

The Dutch can see it. Their big guns have been toiling at the top level in recent years but rather than pull up the ladder and hoard all the cash, they realise dragging up the standards across the board eventually benefits everyone.

Spread the wealth and share the spoils. Come on guys, it’s time to go Dutch.

Aye right! To think the Old Firm would agree to that one