GLF 70: Graham reckons they have to live in the SPL
Old Firm in the Premiership….
This is another fanzine staple that crops us every now and again, this time it has raised it's ugly head following Celtic's humiliation at the hands of Manchester United in the Champions League.The excuse for many Celtic fans was that the United side was put together for a load of money, their forward line alone cost £100million while Celtic had a forward line costing £800k (Scott McDonald!!).Then you hear Radio debate after radio debate saying that Rangers and Celtic need to join the Premiership to compete and, even survive!This appears to be founded on the premise that the team who finishes last in the Premiership gets £30m from TV while the gruesome twosome get about £2m from Setanta.
Well my heart bleeds for them! Why was there never a cry that Motherwell should join the Championship (or the Premiership) after losing to Nancy in the UEFA Cup?Of course we do not attract 50-60,000 bigots who will be seen as easy pray for the merchandise merchants of the Premiership.I have news for the Old Firm, the disadvantage they suffer in the Champions League is not too dissimilar to that which we suffer in the League week in week out.Almost all of the financial advantage if weighted in their favour at home; largest share of the TV money, keeping their home gates, etc, etc.
It was eve suggested on one radio station that if they don't get a move to the Premiership they would wither and die!You could argue if Gretna had got a move to the Premiership they would still be in existence.They can't attract top players because they don't have access to the Premiership money, well if Motherwell had access to £30m from TV per year I think we would attract better players.From that point of view so would Hartlepool or Scunthorpe if they could get access, which they may one day if they get promoted through the Leagues in their country.
Ah there we have it, in their country!! Celtic and Rangers will forever be stuck as the big fish in our small ponds as, despite their denials, they are SCOTTISH CLUBS, not English.
Maybe if their scouting or coaching was better they might compete in the Champions League rather than moaning about what is holding them back. If you follow even more of the flawed Old Firm logic then why the Premiership, why don't they go and join La Liga or Serie A who also have a lot of money. I also wonder if in Holland Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV fans debate whether their team should move to Germany. Sadly that's because UEFA at least seem to recognise national boundaries and believe these should be stuck with. Finally will anybody watch SPL football if the Old Firm left, well every week the ten other teams will have 80-100,000 people watch them - would they all disappear?? I don't think so…..
My final advice for the Old Firm, you play in the SPL - DEAL WITH IT!!
Graham Barnstaple
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