Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside's proposals for a revamped two-tier Premier League system have once again raised the subject of allowing the Old Firm to compete in England.
Whatever the pro's and cons of Gartside's plan are, the door should not be opened for Rangers and Celtic to join in.
If this happens, it will set a dangerous precedent and talk of euro-super leagues would not be far away. The likes of PSV, Porto and Rosenborg would watch on eagerly.
The financial benefits of the theory would appeal to the money men of the Premier League, it's clubs and the television executives, but most of all that of the two Glasgow giants.
Take away any of the fair-middling plodders of the PL and replace them with clubs of the size and stature of Rangers and Celtic and the strength of the competition improves further.
Their inclusion in the current or any amended Premier League set-up would undoubtedly provide more entertainment, and generate even more interest for the league globally. Further swelling the coffers and monopoly English football carries on the sports worldwide audience.
Celtic Cheif executive Peter Lawwell claims that if a serious propsal came in, they would give it, "serious consideration." Both clubs must be envious of the wealth the English game commands, and must believe a move south of the border is the only way to progress given the totalitarian dominance of their domestic league. Not since 1985and the Alex Ferguson led Aberdeen has anyone else won the SPL, and an end to this sequence looks highly unlikely.
However, the Old Firm have a duty and an obligation to Scottish football. It's difficult to see how them not participating in their own national league would do anything to strengthen the game in their country?
The influence of Scottish players on the English game has been in decline since the 80's. The scottish representative at clubs like Liverpool in the 70's and 80's were not only good players at top clubs, they were among the best players in the league.
Scotland simply does not produce the calibre of player it once did and this is reflective of the standard of the game there. The Dalglish and Souness's have not been replicated, and to place blame at the door of the Old firm for these failings would be a short-sighted indicment of the structure of Scottish Football.
Without the pair, Scottish football would become even more unpalatable than it is now. Average attendances excluding Rangers and Celtic vary between 4000-15000, any budding youngsters would still be cherry picked by either or, and the SPL would struggle to lure any foreign talent of significant ability.
The attendances for the remaining clubs may rise if they are involved in a renewed title challenge, but overall support and focus would further increase for Rangers and Celtic through their involvement in the much more lucrative and prestigious English equivalent. Rangers v Chelsea or Aberdeen v Hearts? The appeal to the neutral observer is heavily weighted.
The danger would then be that interest completely subsides from scottish domestic football, with the big two immersing themselves in the glory and riches of the EPL without contributing to the development or economic well-being of football in their own country.
It would be a selfless act for Rangers and Celtic to accept an invitation to climb aboard the Premier League bandwagon, but with such great financial carrots being dangled to them, it would be an incredibly difficult proposition to reject.
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