Alim Ozturk spent time in the Scottish Premiership with Hearts and is now in England’s League One with Sunderland.
Alim Ozturk has played in both the Scottish top flight and the third tier of English football, so he is well placed to compare both leagues and make a verdict on which is better.
Speaking to the Chronicle, the Sunderland centre-back believes that League One football is a better standard than the football he experienced north of the border during his spell with Hearts.
“It is a completely different level,” Ozturk said. “People said in advance that the level would be equal to the Premiership in Scotland, but I think this is a bit higher.”
Football fans in Scotland have been forced to endure relentless barbs about the perceived lack of quality in their domestic league over the last few years, particularly since Celtic established their monopoly of all silverware north of the border.
And supporters have been quick to hit back at Ozturk’s comments.
Ozturk has hardly been a regular since moved to the Stadium of Light from Boluspor in the summer, starting two games in League One for Jack Ross’s Sunderland.
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