As I got home from work last night, one story on Sky Sports really caught my eye - 'Old Firm switch ruled out' was the headline. I decided to have a quick look and it turns out that, once again, Celtic and Rangers are discussing the possibility of leaving the SPL to ply their trade down in England, an idea I find laughable. This all follows Scotland's 2-1 victory over the footballing giants of Lichtenstein which required a 97th minute winner from former Celtic, and now Middlesbrough, centre back, Stephen McManus. Despite Craig Levein's post-match comments claiming that Scotland thoroughly deserved the victory, a 97th minute winner over a team ranked 149th in the FIFA rankings doesn't really justify a deserved victory in my opinion. So, to think that Celtic and Rangers could hold their own against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal really is mind boggling to say the least. This is the same Celtic who relies on Georgios Samaras to lead the line and the same Rangers that let their most productive striker (Kris Boyd) leave on a free in the summer.
Don't get me wrong, 10-15 years ago, I believe that Celtic and Rangers both had a case to partake in the EPL. This was when the league boasted players such as Henrik Larsson, Gennaro Gattuso and Eyal Berkovic, players that have proven they can hold their own in the EPL. Even core starters of the Scottish National team, such as Darren Fletcher and Alan Hutton, play for top teams in England. Yet, in today's game, teams south of the border have had much more money pumped into them whilst teams in Scotland have seen financing dwindle as TV deals aren't in as high demand for games in England. This is the main reason both of the Glasgow teams want to jump ship to play in England - Money. Without the funding teams in the EPL, even the Championship, obtain, it is getting harder and harder to compete on the biggest stage of all. Fair enough, both Celtic and Rangers dominate their respective league every year but their funding is astronomical in comparison to the other competing teams in the SPL.
However, to think that they deserve a spot in England's top division is beyond me. I was reading the comments and some of the fans are saying that their team will be a regular top 4 finisher in 'four to five years'! Don't make me laugh. In my opinion, they should be made to start in League 2 and work their way up like all professional teams have too, why should they get preferential treatment over teams such as QPR, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town, the teams currently sitting first, second and third, respectively, in the Championship.
To think they could compete in the Premiership is beyond laughable and the sooner Celtic and Rangers wake up to the reality that their teams are no where near the standard of teams in the EPL, the better it will be for all of us.
Will write again when I can.
Laters,
Macca
Theres no way this will ever happen. Celtic and Rangers don't want to give up easy Champions League qualification every year.
ReplyDeleteI still find it perplexing that they are still trying. Also, have a look at the story on sky sports and read the comments below. Some are absolutely brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI dont see why they shouldnt be allowed to be quite honest with you. In terms of size and following of the clubs their is every reason to believe that within 4 or 5 years time they could be challenging the top 6 in the premiership at least. Given, as you pointed out ben, the massive difference in prize & tv money that there now is between the leagues im not sure they would even be that fussed about missing the champions league for a couple of seasons. Now whether they deserve a place in the top flight immediatly is the debate. Id have to agree and say no definitly not..but to start them in League 2 would be a little silly because I think it would be safe to assume they would dominate both that league and league 1. The championship would however be a good starting point. Quite how you put them in their is a different matter..add 2 more teams possibly? (Dont have to increase the amount of pormotion or relegation spots)...or instead of consistantly bailing out teams that are close to liquadation give their spots to the Glasgow clubs. Also just to add..is their really anything wrong with scottish clubs playing in England (this has been an argument long used), lest we forget that Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham & Newport all play in the English Tier!
ReplyDeleteI think it is more the case that they expect to walk straight into the Premiership at the expense of teams who have earned the right to play there. I agree with your argument of Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport and, to be honest, I have no comeback to that. However, all of those teams have earned the right to end up in the position they are in now
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