Old Firm beg to be let in the Premier League (again)

[Curious Orange]

From the BBC:

McLeish wants Old Firm in England

Alex McLeish believes pressure from television could force English football's power brokers to allow the Old Firm to play in the Premiership.

McLeish says Rangers and Celtic should both be playing in England.

He says that television bosses can pave the way if they threaten to withdraw cash unless they are allowed south.

"Global television could dictate an immediate change of direction if they were to threaten to withdraw financial support," said the Rangers boss.

"Rangers and Celtic are still a tremendous attraction to Europe's top players.

"When we bring the big names to Glasgow and they see Ibrox and Murray Park they can hardly believe their eyes," added McLeish.

"But the questionable strength of the domestic league is what prevents the very best of them from opting to take the gamble on a move to Scotland. That is the weakness of the Scottish Premier League.

"Talking about the Old Firm getting into the Premiership has always been a pipe dream, and maybe it is to some."

But he believes the Premiership would have no choice other than to allow Rangers and Celtic in if satellite television threatened to pull the plug on millions of pounds unless they were granted entry.

Would blackmail work? Would Murdoch be willing to risk such a move?

 

[Simster]

Nope. We don't want the huns and tims down here with their bigotted songs - not even if they start in the Conference.

And
a) Murdoch wouldn't be allowed to pull the plug on funds if a contract was already signed
b) If Sky refused to agree a deal without Rangers and Celtic, then one of the other TV companies would jump into Sky's shoes and buy the rights to live Premiership football as it is.

 

[Napper]

keep them in there little pool oop North

 

[Withnail]

Why would they automatically be let in the premiership and not have to work their way up like everyone else? Trying to blackmail Sky into helping them is completely out of order. And they'd miss out on their 2 European games every year. Be good to see Virgo playing in the championship again though.

 

[Alby]

FIFA and UEFA dont like the idea either.

Believe the Welsh sides were told by UEFA that as they play in the English league they cannot represent Wales in UEFA run tournements . As a double whammy if they ever by some miracle qualify for Europe through our competitions they could not enter as they are not English sides!!

If that is the case would the Old Firm be willing to forgo European competitions?

We dont want or need them so they should stay in their own tiny pond.

IMO it is more likely some form of Euro Super League would appear rather than clubs being allowed to move national Leagues.

 

[kevinsmith]

Would be good for Virgo if it was to happen

 

[London Calling]

Can never work this one out. Scotland is a different country and league. We might as well ask the top french sides to join as well, since they are probably located nearer to most English sides.

LC

 

[Withnail]

The Scottish league situation is entirely their own fault. They negotiate their own tv deals to get the biggest slice of the cash then moan that the other teams can't compete with them.
Don't think they'd mind forgoing European competition though. It's only 2 nights a year for them.

 

[JJ McClure]

Quick re-build Hadrians Wall

 

[Icy Gull]

No doubt they'd expect to just come into the Premiership and replace two teams that are already there or increase relegation to 4 teams in the 1st year? Would be quality to see both Rangers and Celtic relegated in their 1st season though

 

[ATFC Seagull]

We dont want or need them so they should stay in their own tiny pond.

I think you'll find that a good number of the premiership powerhouses would disagree with you on that one.

 

[sullyupthewing]

No wanted.

 

[Simster]

I think you'll find that a good number of the premiership powerhouses would disagree with you on that one.

...but only if the Old Firm agreed to waive their rights to a Champions League spot.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

...but only if the Old Firm agreed to waive their rights to a Champions League spot.

Probably true. Interestingly, would they stay in their own cup competitions, virtually guaranteeing European football for at least one of them every year (albeit UEFA cup)?

 

[Kukev31]

Personally I would quite like to see them in the Premiership, as it would increase competition and could only strenghten are league. However it would mean some bloody long trips.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Personally I would quite like to see them in the Premiership, as it would increase competition and could only strenghten are league. However it would mean some bloody long trips.

But it could also lead to the end of England, Wales and Scotland National teams as all the principle clubs are playing in one league so we may as well play as Britain. Which is bad.

 

[Icy Gull]

so we may as well play as Britain. Which is bad.

You reckon? I think it would be great

Works for the Olympics and it gives us a chance on the World stage which we flatter to deceive on as England in football.

 

[SK1NT]

You reckon? I think it would be great

Works for the Olympics and it gives us a chance on the World stage which we flatter to deceive on as England in football.

what scottish player would get in this so called british team? they can stay where they are. If they did get in the prem they would only get relegated.

 

[Icy Gull]

what scottish player would get in this so called british team? they can stay where they are. If they did get in the prem they would only get relegated.

Northern Irish and Welsh too don't forget. Maybe not too much at the moment but in the past there have been players that would have made a Britain team much stronger than an England one......if you can't think of some of them you must be very very young

 

[London Calling]

The large increase of Sky TV money would enable the old firm clubs to rebuild and establish quality sides backed by 60,000 supportes revenue. In a couple of years they will be able t rival the Man U's and Arsenal's.