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This has been going on for a century, but it's especially topical as Scotland approaches its referendum on independence. Currently it looks like Scotland will stay in the UK, however clubs like Rangers who are tied to Scottish nationalism may be bizarre beneficiaries in the current climate.
Also, UEFA appears to be softening its opposition to cross border football leagues, and is piloting a merged Belgium/Ned women's league.
But history has proved ‘the Bunnet’ to be one of the most essential and precocious contributors to the Celtic story — 20 years on when Fergus speaks people listen.
That was proved last week when he said: “I would like to see the EPL expand and include Celtic. I think it could and should happen. It would triple the size of the club in financial terms, overnight.”
This encouraged a comment from Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino: “There is an experiment, a test, going on in the BeNe League in women’s football with Belgium and the Netherlands.
This has gone on for a year and we will take a look into that after the second year. There will be discussions going on with all stakeholders. Football is in constant development and we are open to discussing everything.”
Poor choice of words, was pitching more as "intertwined." Although large, their supporters aren't a majority, so I don't think its their vote that primarily matters. There could be one of 4 outcomes for each of Rangers, Celtic and/or Both - pushed toward England, pulled in by England, pushed away by Scotland, pushed away by England. Add a few variables - loyalism, class, a good result in the champions league qualifiers. The pot is being stirred mightily.
Rangers in the EPL would be a disaster. They're dead broke and successive compositions of the board haven't been able (or indeed willing) to control the haemorrhaging of cash. Hate to think the ridiculous sums of money that they'd piss away of they got their hands into the Sky honey pot.
That's not a structural issue though. Infrastructure wise they can compete, and would have a stadium in the top half of the EPL for size. And Celtic would be close to the top. A management issue is easily solved with new management - albeit it takes some clubs longer/more attempts to get it right. Also keep in mind that some proposals have Rangers joining at everything from EPL down to 4th tier, all of which are a step up from Scotland's second division.
Another issue that comes up is what to do with the rest of the SPL. It's not like Wales where there's two big clubs surrounded by rugby.
SPL is already gone. They rolled it and the SFL into the SPFL (Scottish Professional Football League) which is a misnomer as most of the clubs are semi professional at best.
Celtic's just been belted out of the champions league qualifiers by Polish side Legia, which goes to highlight the gulf between Scottish football and the rest of the pack. Big fish, small pond.
Celtic fans at work this morning, which is the majority as I work for an "Irish" company, were saying that it was a joke. They were so bad the other night and still got through!