Maybe the championship top 4! What a joke of an article.

Not in your wildest dreams. Jesus you must be mental or something.

Although many English fans will disagree, Mark i back your statement up. Look how Celtic and Rangers have done in Europe, that say's it all.

What makes you think we couldn't challenge the top four? It seems perfectly plausible to me, look at the recent results between scottish teams and English teams and look how well our national team is doing compared to the sorry state of yours! Thanks Mark like the piece

I hope u mean they would make top four in the South African Premiership. Surely not in the English Premiership.

I am sure your job is to try and provoke some response and encourage hits to your site,which is why you then try to write articles that are controversial. This is way beyond that, and just laughable. Celtic and Rangers would do well to survive in the Prem - and to suggest they are as good as Man U and Arsenal is ridiculous, and illustrates an amazing lack of football knowledge on your part.

Would they f*ck, the championship maybe ;-)

They''ll be able to hold a very good home record but would fall short away. Its much easier to G urself up for a big champions lgue match than a domestic game. over a season they would challenge for a UEFA cup spot.

What a load of rubbish! SPL teams may be having an improvement but they are no where near the top four in England and would struggle in the championship if they ever decided to try and join the english system. You may think your division are improving but so are Englands and we're still streets ahead.

I think Rangers are better than anything outside the Top Four, as their results in Europe thus far have indicated. This being achieved whilst not having the money (or an attractive League) to entice better quality players to the Club. Put them in the EPL and with the money and prestige that brings, I have no doubt that within a couple of seasons they would be a serious challenge to the 'Fab Four'.

[quote]Although many English fans will disagree, Mark i back your statement up. Look how Celtic and Rangers have done in Europe, that say's it all.[/quote] I agree, Celtic and Rangers have easily outperformed the English top 4 in Europe over recent seasons. Every one of the English top 4 have reached at least the semi final in the CL in the last 3 seasons with 1 winner and 2 more finalists. Thats a terrible record compared to Celtic and Rangers wouldn't you agree!

Celtic and Rangers could survive in the Premiership nothing more. A few euro games don't change the constellation.

No chance mate your on cloud 9 at the minute and thats fair enough. wait til you actually quallify from the group stages, unless you do then once again scottish teams will have failed in europe!!

I needed a laugh!!! Celtic and Rangers finish top 4 in the premiership ha ha ha ha ha You should quit your job as a writer!! you should be a comedian instead!! Rangers & Celtic Top 4 of the premiership ha ha ha ha ha

Celtic and Rangers could compete in the EPL now, and would finish comfortably mid table. The respective turnover of both clubs is in line with other mid table teams in the EPL and this done without SKY money. The additional SKY monies would enable both teams to compete with on much more level playing field. But it truth it will never happen due to no turkey has ever voted for xmas.

Add another £40m a season to the Old Firm coffers too from TV rights. Thats something you guys dont realise. Im pretty sure Celtic would be challenging for the top 4 within three years. It might take Rangers a couple of more seasons though.

I fail to see how a national side's performance has anything to do with club teams. Clearly you live in your deluded world bigging up that joke of league. Celtic & Rangers would be top half sides alright but to say they would finish above the likes of us, United, Arsenal & Chelsea is a joke. Callum, your European form says it all? It says nothing other than what you are doing in Europe. We had a terrible league campaign when we won the European Cup, against AC Milan so yes, we can see them off so clear proof form in one competition has zero to do with another. How far have Celtic & Rangers got in Europe in the past ten years out of curiosity?

How can you say Celtic and Rangers would finish in the top 4 of the English Premiership.This is ludicrous.No way would this happen.Celtic would be up there off course but Rangers would be in the Championship.

How many scottish clubs have won or reached the semis, finals. They would struggle to stay in the prem. Even Hibs beat them and they would struggle to go past the 1st round of the UEFA cup. One good season and you start blowing your trumpet.

Do you lot really think that if Rangers and Celtic were given the massive fortunes that are wasted every year by english clubs that we wouldn't be able to compete, you are having a laugh , you continually delude yourselves that somehow you are the center of the sporting world when in fact your league isn't even the fourth best in europe , no wonder the rest of europe laughs at the English

Its simple mathematics. Each team would get silly TV money - say 30-40m a season!!! And the profile would add to merchandice sales. At the moment - they both get 1m TV money!!! Its really simple - money counts, they would be contenders alright.

You have a point, None of the big four have come close to getting a result like Rangers did in France against the SIX times champion. Hell didn't our best 'European side' Liverpool just lose at home to the French also rans, Marseille. How did Man Utd fare against AC Milan earlier this year? As for the other two Southern softies, they just don't have the bottle for the battle. And let's not look at our National team...........They are an embarrassment, that all Englishmen should be ashamed of. Depending on Israel doing us a favour, so we can qualify from the weakest qualifying group for 2008. We really are a deluded bunch.

Over 38 games they will falter with the team they have. People say that with money they get in the Premiership they will be able to contend with others... then they will no longer be a scottish team though would they? That's why it's a stupid article.

please give a formal warning to Mark Apostolou, for this Ridiculous article which lacks any amount of football knowledge. Rangers and Celtic could never play in the premier league, the football is way to fast for them, ok they pulled of a couple of results in the champions league but to do that for 40 games a season I don’t think so!!!! The quality isn’t there in the squads. Anyway im not going to go down that road of trying to make Mark Apostolou wrong because the article is complete b**locks, so I again call for this article to be removed and replaced with something interesting and plausible!!

[quote]please give a formal warning to Mark Apostolou, for this Ridiculous article which lacks any amount of football knowledge. Rangers and Celtic could never play in the premier league, the football is way to fast for them, ok they pulled of a couple of results in the champions league but to do that for 40 games a season I don’t think so!!!! The quality isn’t there in the squads. Anyway im not going to go down that road of trying to make Mark Apostolou wrong because the article is complete b**locks, so I again call for this article to be removed and replaced with something interesting and plausible!! [/quote]Cheers

Again we see that some English fans live in a bubble. I don't agree that we're as good as the top 4 at the moment but we'd wipe the floor with the likes of Portsmouth and Blackburn (currently sitting 5th and 6th). Given a year or 2 and the additional finance and kudos that it would bring then YES... we would be challenging the top 4. Anyone who disagrees is deluding themselves. Both Rangers and Celtic have massive fan bases which only Man U and Liverpool can compete with. At the moment they cannot attract the caliber of player from the continent that EPL clubs can but that would all change if we went there (which, incidentally I wouldn't like to see happen). The way forward is for a Euro league as there are many countries with 2,3 or 4 teams who are so far ahead of the rest in their respective leagues that no-one else has even the slightest chance of winning the title...and that INCLUDES England. p.s. Bring on the Barca!!

shut up you northan bars**rd. top of the league!!!!!!!!

"Too fast" Have you watched an SPL game mate? If its as simple as being "to fast" for the opposition then why dont premiership teams win the Champions league all the time? Mug!

celtic, and rangers. would be lucky to finish halfway, your not good enough yet, and if your honest you would agree.

I sincerely believe that if Celtic had a share of Sky TV money on a par with Manchester United or Liverpool then Celtic - once acclimatised - would soon be winning the Premiership every second season or so. There are a few silly snide remarks here from English fans but I'm afraid they don't appreciate the massive fan base of the Old Firm and the worldwide appeal of Celtic in particular. I hope that the old firm join a united continental league with France and Holland that competes, in terms of tv revenue, with La liga, Serie A and the Premiership. Then you'll see Celtic win the Champions League again. PS The Premiership is a four team league (those with a realistic chance of winning) which is really only marginally more exciting than the SPL's two team league. It's nothing to crow about and if it doesn't get more competitive are you sure that Sky TV will want to keep financing its dire predictability?

I think you'll find that Celtic defeated Man Utd in last season's CL. Also their two previous European games against English opposition saw them record victories in England against Blackburn and Liverpool. These are facts, try dealing with them.

Are you serious? Ok, I admit that Celtic and Rangers are doing well in Europe, and fair play to them. But as for the domestic league, it's business as usual, with both sides being made to look better than they are by substandard teams. The funniest thing about this article is the references to how well the national team is doing. Well let me tell you that of the 35 players who have been picked for Scotland in the past year, 19 of them play in England. Your suggestion that Rangers and Celtic would make the top 4 is laughable, and your article is nothing but provocative rubbish.

I see some of the premierhsip fans are dismissing the idea completely and are saying things like "Maybe Chamionship top 4" They are showing a complete ignorance of Glasgow Celtic Football club and its size, stature ETC. With one of the best home records in Europe for the CL and almost completing a record for the longest spell without a goal conceeded at hom, when beating Milan. Getting the better of Premiership champions last season in the CL. Milan admitted the hardest tie they faced last season in the CL was Celtic in the last 16 - an extra time Kaka goal split the 2 sides in the 2nd leg at the San Siro. To say we would struggle in the premiersip, when I look at some of the quality offered up by some of these matches just shows the most complete lack of knowledge of Scottish football and they should not comment if they have no clue what they are talking about.

who cant win in the champions league all the time?????? your talking to a gooner, mate. we're are the best team on the planet at the minute. end of the day! it's not going to happern! for the rest of your football support life you will see yours teams playing in the crappy SPL and everytime one of your players are playing well a club from england will come a buy them from your crappy scottish teams!!! now thats a fact!!!! and in your case IT CANT CHANGE EVER!!!! ha ha ha

Celtic get a pittance for winning the SPL. Wigan get a fortune for surviving in the EPL! Within 3 seasons, Celtic would be able to have in place a team good enough to challenge for a top 4 place? They have more support worldwide than anyone except Liverpool and Man U. At the grassroots game, there are loads of youngsters coming through. I agree the away record is rubbish, but £40M a year from SKY would help change that. Consider how the top 4 EPL clubs would do it they only received £5M a year?? Diddly squat. Rangers would probably do as well over 5 seasons - the structure is there, they simply need more money as Celtic do. Celtic's record against EPL clubs in recent years is good - home and away. Played 8, Won 4, Lost 2, Drawn 2

Celtic were the first British team to win the European Cup- it's a fact!!! IT CAN'T CHANGE EVER!!!! ha ha ha You've NEVER won it - it's fact!!! ha ha ha

You must be having a laugh, granted Rangers and Celtic could win occasionally against better opposition but surely if they were good enough they would go further in European competion eg Liverpool Winners 2005 and runners up 2007, Arsenal runners up 2006, Man Utd and Chelsea both losing in the semis last year. Rangers and Celtic barely struggle out of the group stages this is where you can judge how good you are and you clearly are not as good. Rangers and Celtic feed off ex prem players that are not good enough for mid table sides but good enough to beat Falkirk!

liam, you sound like a west ham supporter!!! how many years you going back???? how can you try to compare celtics honers to arsenals???? come on you thick jock!!!

Total bollocks. They wouldn't make the Top four in the French Ligue!

An interesting thought, but whatever you are on could I have some please, this world must look a nicer place from where you are.

Hopefully Celtic will draw Arse in the Champions League then we'll see who's top.

gooner....while i dont agree that celtic would be challenging within the top four,they would be able to hold their own.please remember that we do not receive the vast sums of television revenue,we definetly have a worldwide recognised symbol and business platform. you really must open your eyes to such facts and take off your blinkers,its people like you who fear progress or challenge.......quite laughable,in fact its almost school boy like

[quote]"Too fast" Have you watched an SPL game mate? If its as simple as being "to fast" for the opposition then why dont premiership teams win the Champions league all the time? Mug![/quote]3 CL finals two english teams an liverpool one one.

There is no plausible reason why Celtic and Rangers could not win the EPL in time, to say otherwise is sheer arrogance, showing little respect or insight into the history of the British and European game.

once again its on with the insults..."thick jock".....you are such a small minded little boy:-)

Brilliant stuff, Gave me a great laugh. Then we get a load of sad scots backing you up. predictable stuff. Celtic have yet to get past the groups stages in how many attempts. One decent win for Rangers and now the can beat Blackburn, portsmouth and the rest. I don't think so. Look at Barry Ferguson, rules the roost up in Scotland, couldn't make it at Blackburn and there are plenty more like that, Liam Miller anyone? There area also loads of players who have gone up to scotland from the premiership at the end of their career and found it really easy, Hartson, Sutton, Gazza, Rod Wallace etc. Of course they do alright head to head against the big english teams becasue it is like a cup final for them, but if it became week in week out they would struggle. That said after a few years they would be able to attract decent players and could then compete, but right now they are miles behind.

That with the additional £50 million per annum that the english top7 make in tv revenue over what the top 3 in the SPL make then we would make the top 4-6 in most seasons.

Seems to me that some of the disparaging fans on here forget recent history. They scoff at the thought of Scottish teams being placed near them in the EPL - yet Liverpool fans should remember that it wasn't long ago that Celtic knocked them out of Europe on their way to the UEFA Final. That's a European final btw - to the chap asking how far in Europe both teams had achieved. Both teams have also made the knockout stages in the Champs League. Not too many EPL clubs achieve that these days. Man U fans need only look to last season to remember that they were lucky to beat Celtic at Old Trafford and were beaten at Parkhead. Beaten in a competitive Champions League game. Of I personally believe that with the extra TV revenue, Celtic could consistently achieve top four placing and Rangers would likely sit mid table at least. And to the buffoon who said that Celtic and Rangers wouldnt be Scottish if they were in the EPL. Ho ho - now that really was funny.

paul callaghan, you are of course a arm chair supporter!!! and cant take the banter, you doo gooder go and wath netball or ballet dancing!! thats what this site is all about!

it wasn't long ago that Celtic beat Man U in a pre-season/Keano testimonial, wasn't it? I don't follow either, but I'm sure Celtic had the rub over Man U. The article's premise ain't so outlandish.

Scottish only talk about Ranger and Celtic... don't you think is a very sad league? most of the scottish players are not playing in SPL...

If the super duper EPL is so damn good, & we are so bad, then what have you to fear ? Invite us to enhace your league & then perhaps you could call it the best league in the world. Think about it, 2 massive clubs who would have to rebuild their stadiums to accomadate 80,000 spectators. How mant clubs in the EPL outwith Man utd, Liverpool, Arsenal & Newcatle could command that sort of support ?

once again the Brits are experts in self-delusion. Your international team has won only one major championship and was lucky to do so- not great you would agree for the so-called home of football. with the exception of liverpool your record in the European Champions cup is also meagre. As the record books will show Celtic never seem to have a problem in beating English teams in European Competition and I have little doubt with their worldwide fanbase and the massive injection of revenue from sponsorship and SKY tv Celtic and Rangers would rejuvenate a somewhat jaded Premiership.

HAHAHAH, it is meant to be a joke, right?

"3 CL finals two english teams an liverpool one one" Yeah youre right Redz thats proved everything. Mark (23 / 10 / 2007 13:31) "Celtic have yet to get past the groups stages in how many attempts" Are you really that ignorant?

[quote]Again we see that some English fans live in a bubble. I don't agree that we're as good as the top 4 at the moment but we'd wipe the floor with the likes of Portsmouth and Blackburn (currently sitting 5th and 6th). Given a year or 2 and the additional finance and kudos that it would bring then YES... we would be challenging the top 4. Anyone who disagrees is deluding themselves. Both Rangers and Celtic have massive fan bases which only Man U and Liverpool can compete with. At the moment they cannot attract the caliber of player from the continent that EPL clubs can but that would all change if we went there (which, incidentally I wouldn't like to see happen). The way forward is for a Euro league as there are many countries with 2,3 or 4 teams who are so far ahead of the rest in their respective leagues that no-one else has even the slightest chance of winning the title...and that INCLUDES England. p.s. Bring on the Barca!![/quote proud of your username are you? what a very sad person you must be

i think the english league is over-rated at times. but to say that celtic and rangers can finish in the top 4 is virtually impossible at the moment. with additional money from tv rights, yes maybe a UEFA cup spot at best. i don't think highly of the english national team, but I really don't think national football should be compared with club football within the respective countries. yes, i agree that english fans are really crude judging by the replies posted. go scotland.

Celtic and Rangers are good enough teams to play in the Premiership. Consistently it would be hard for both to play the high intensity football that Premiership football is which Scottish football does not provide. On any day Celtic and Rangers could give the Top 4 teams in the Premiership a go but over a course of a season they would be lucky to break top half finish

[quoteCeltic and Rangers would rejuvenate a somewhat jaded Premiership.[/quote] Excuse me, but the Premiership is the most competetive and exciting league in the world...

I am sure Celtic or Rangers would be happy to SHOW you how they would do in the EPL and end all these arguments. However, it appears the EPL is running SCARED of that option, otherwise it would have happened. The top four would be more than happy to welcome us in as extra COMPETITION, its the rest of the also rans who would lose out. Now that would be a real league!

[quote]Brilliant stuff, Gave me a great laugh. Then we get a load of sad scots backing you up. predictable stuff. Celtic have yet to get past the groups stages in how many attempts. One decent win for Rangers and now the can beat Blackburn, portsmouth and the rest. I don't think so. Look at Barry Ferguson, rules the roost up in Scotland, couldn't make it at Blackburn and there are plenty more like that, Liam Miller anyone? There area also loads of players who have gone up to scotland from the premiership at the end of their career and found it really easy, Hartson, Sutton, Gazza, Rod Wallace etc. Of course they do alright head to head against the big english teams becasue it is like a cup final for them, but if it became week in week out they would struggle. That said after a few years they would be able to attract decent players and could then compete, but right now they are miles behind. [/quote]Check your facts mate, Celtic got past the group stages last year, i bet you feel silly now!

Several salient points to keep in mind: 1. Arsenal's starting XI cost 30 million pounds, and Tottenham has outspent them by tens of millions every year in the last five years without a top four finish. Don't equate having more money to spend with a top 4 finish. 2. National teams are completely irrelevant. The top 4 in the EPL have rosters filled with capped internationals - almost all of them foreign. The results of the English national team have nothing to do with how club teams do or will fare. 3. The EPL is not a Cup competition. Setting aside for a moment that each of the Top 4 have better results in the Champions League than the Scottish Top 2, the nature of Cup success does not translate into league success. Coventry beat Man U in a Cup this year, but it would be absurd to say they could finish in the Top 4 in the EPL. Your only argument FOR your conclusion is recent Cup success of Celtic and Rangers, and that's too big a leap. 4. Fan base - not sure why this would mean you get a Top 4

Big fish, small pond. Surely if legislation was put in place to allow Rangers and Celtic into English football, a start in the Championship would be fairer, therefore earning the right through promotion. How would Rangers or Celtic feel if an English team were put into the SPL, finish in the top 2 and deny either a Champions League place?

At which time you would stop being scottish and just be another english team, wasting 40-50 million a year on players that are linked with the top 4 but no bids are ever tabled.

I think this article has been written by the same author as the will Spurs finish above Arsenal piece, another bit of pointless journalism. Obviously the that one has little validity 10 games into the season.

They already get into Europe via their own league by winning or coming 2nd - why would either club want to hang on to coattails of a Utd/Chelsea/Arenal or Liverpool to achieve same goal ?? This whole article is moot ... What would be interesting is if there was a Home Nations Mini-League for the top clubs of respective countries (Eng/Scotland/Wales/N. Ireland/Rep Ireland) .. YNWA

The Scottish season is much less taxing on Glasgow's two sides compared to life in the Prem. C&R play the equivalent of Championship or even less-able opposition week-in, week-out. With a full season of top-level games, rather than weekly walk-overs, they would find life more of a struggle. Who Cares? They'll never join the Prem, and a better performance in Europe for several years would be required to give your theory any credibility. Given Europe is the only common benchmark, did either Glagow club perform as well as Liverpool, Chelsea, ManU or Arsenal in the Champions League last season? No, they didn't.

I think one of the clubs could end up in the top 4 some years but they would not be regular top 4 they would be regular top 10.

Mark is actually spot on. Celtic and Rangers have bigger stadiums than most Premiership teams. Celtic actually have one of the largest fan bases in the world. Add this to a cut of the Premiership money that all the Premiership sides receive each year, then yes Celtic (and perhaps Rangers) can take on the top sides in the Premiership. Remember, these days it's mostly about money - With money, you can win. With money, any side can finish in the top 4.

[quote]I think this article has been written by the same author as the will Spurs finish above Arsenal piece, another bit of pointless journalism. Obviously the that one has little validity 10 games into the season.[/quote]Which article did i write about Spurs finishing above Arsenal? Please point it out to me

The English have no grasp on reality. The simple fact is , that if the Old Firm had the equivalent annual cash injection from TV that the EPL receives then they would easily compete. No top player would turn their nose up at a chance to play for Rangers or Celtic who both have massive history and fan base, or maybe the Outer Mongolia Wigan supporters club might disagree..

The reality is that the old firm are much bigger than most English fans think. We both have massive supports and with the extra cash available we would be on a level footing with the likes of Spurs,Everton,Newcastle and teams of that ilk. A few years down the line and we'd probably be looking to split the top 4. It's predominantly arsenal fans who are slagging us off but I say to them..it took your team a long time to be taken seriously in the EPl and now your regular top 4 material..so anythhing would be possible if the old firm got into the EPL.

if they were both in the premier leage they would reep the benafits of having more money and would attract better players. theres no doubting that rangers and celtic are 2 of the biggest clubs in the world. so it might take a couple of seasons but they would end up being up there without a doubt. but not with the players they have now

I was referring to your article dated 7th June entitled " Will Spurs ever succeed Arsenal as North London's top dogs?"

Does money really buy success? Arsenal have built success on with very little money and granted, have not attained this overnight. Alex Ferguson did not create his Man Utd dynasty overnight. All these things take time and can possibly be attributed to a board's faith in their manager. Wenger has it, Ferguson has it. Benitez doesn't, Mourinho has gone and Jol will follow. Stability is the key to success and both Rangers and Celtic go through managers at a fair rate. Wouldn't the extra revenue from the EPL not be spent on increased wages. I don't know how much the average SPL player gets, but I wouldn't mind betting it's a considerble amount less than the EPL.

Let's take an objective view here: the Old firm would finish top half in EPL with increase TV money, this is not in dispute. They could easily keep up results over a full season as, even with their current squads, they wouldn't have to 'raise their game' to win against formidable opposition such as Middlebro, Wigan, Reading etc. The real point here is that the old firm shouldn't be in the EPL - if they did I agree, they would lose their identity and certainly for a few years would be out of the CL. Not good for their very real global appeal/branding. Also, I've read the usual 'head in the sand' comments by some english bubbleheads - if these people took a reality check they would understand why the England national team keep failing. Then maybe, just maybe they would start to have respect for the opposition and then results would happen for them. Maybe. One last point from earlier about Barry Ferguson. Liverpool et al were queing up to buy him. He chose Blackburn coz Souness persuaded him. Then Mark Hughes c

most of these english supporters seem to live in their own dreamworld....especially the people saying the top four of the championship. Without a doubt the epl is the best league in the world but rangers and celtic colud quite easily get into the top half of the table but thats not saying they would get into the top 4! Actually they would have no chance!!first few years they would be challenging for uefa cup but give it a few years -with money- they could challenge the top four!!btw arsenal are easily the best team in the epl and probably the world and they play the best football!

as a scot living in england it can be very difficult to explain to your average engerlish footie fan just how big the 2 glasgow clubs are and how much of an impact they could make in the premiership with the added tv and sponsership money not to mention exposure. most "debates" descend into a childish slanging match(not from my part)with me then using my 6foot2" frame to force an historical schooling on the said fools. but i'm glad that you've taken the time to address this subject and do so in a fair and balanced manner. ialso commend you for daring to put your head above the parapit, so to speak. well done mark, keep them coming!!

perhaps the cretins who have posted their ignorant nationalistic bile need to inform themselves before making the average english fan even more foolish. celtic have an ifrastructure, that as has been said by many in the know, as being the envy of many english premiership clubs and a glowing example of how to be successful in a limited market place. celtic also have a billionaire irish majority shareholder who has, over the course of 8 years(and with the superb work of others) set about re structuring the way the club is run in anticipation of either an invite to the premiership or indeed, as has been mooted many times, a european super league. the resistance to the notion of scottish success against english clubs-either in a league form or cup- is principally born out fear and ignorance and is often used as a form of ego protection in what is a hierarchical society(indeed world), but those ignorant to open debate will not understand this. so continue to post your flawed and often ridiculous rationale but kno

know that those with a modecum of intellect and in interest in open,informative and philosophical debate about football hold nothing but contempt for you(and your intellect), and very often ridicule. knowledge and understanding are the routes to enlightenment, not sat on a sofa with a bhuna,a beer and a remote control. well done again to mark for another stimulating read.

[quote]Let's take an objective view here: the Old firm would finish top half in EPL with increase TV money, this is not in dispute. They could easily keep up results over a full season as, even with their current squads, they wouldn't have to 'raise their game' to win against formidable opposition such as Middlebro, Wigan, Reading etc. The real point here is that the old firm shouldn't be in the EPL - if they did I agree, they would lose their identity and certainly for a few years would be out of the CL. Not good for their very real global appeal/branding. Also, I've read the usual 'head in the sand' comments by some english bubbleheads - if these people took a reality check they would understand why the England national team keep failing. Then maybe, just maybe they would start to have respect for the opposition and then results would happen for them. Maybe. One last point from earlier about Barry Ferguson. Liverpool et al were queing up to buy him. He chose Blackburn coz Souness persuaded him. Then Mark

do you not feel that the increased exposure from participating in the epl(and the extra tv and sponsorship finances/exposure that comes with that) would bridge any gap in missing the champions league for,imo, a year or two? p.s.i know you won't, but please do not see this as an attack(i found your post sensible, balanced and worth reading) but merely stimulating the deabate further.

[quote]do you not feel that the increased exposure from participating in the epl(and the extra tv and sponsorship finances/exposure that comes with that) would bridge any gap in missing the champions league for,imo, a year or two? p.s.i know you won't, but please do not see this as an attack(i found your post sensible, balanced and worth reading) but merely stimulating the deabate further.[/quote] i obviously meant debate rather than "deabate".

how come there are still people like yourself that can write? i'm astonished that u're brain is still functioning enough! u think the old firm will struggle to compete in the premiership regardless of the wealth they'll recieve on an annual basis? we are talking about the same clubs (2 of the biggest in the world) that are only resticted by the goldfish pond they are in at the moment aren't we? somehow i don't think you'll find the bookies agreeing when they do enter the financial, market and brand based european league of the future. it's funny that people like you still exist! lol. love you and look forward to u and your money xox

At the moment there are plans to increase Celtic Park to an 80,000 capacity and with this an Celtics global support we would do well in England is the enormous revenue that we would generate. The Premiership voted against Celtic & Rangers joining your league and I honestly belive the top English clubs voted againstit was because once Celtic and Rangers got adjusted to your league the old firm would always be up within the top four. This means that two of the existing top four would every other year would have to do without champions league and this would not be acceptable. Many of your comments are rejecting Celtic out of hand but if Celtic can play in front of 60,000 every week in our mickey mouse league what would we play in front of in your league. Last things I want to say is that every record crowd in Europe has been broken by Celtic would have crowds the size of Barcelona if we played in England Celtic V Leeds 134,000 Celtic V Rangers 118,000 Celtic V Aberdeen 149,000 Seville 2003 8

The fact is that celtic have beaten english teams every time they play & this is also without the benefit of the £50 million sky money that epl teams have advantage of. As said, if we were in the EPL i garauntee that celtic would win it after 3 years ! But at this moment in time we would def be top 5. English league is also over-rated too.

I hate to say it guys but as a rangers fan I agree that we wouldn't make the top four immediately. It would take a few seasons I reckon. Both teams records against English teams is good but a point drawn upon earlier is that it's easier to gear up for CL games as opposed to domestic games which happen every week. Although I have to say I'm not so sure the EPL is the best league in the world, I'd much rather watch La Liga. And as for the championship comments - I honestly think the Championship is one of the toughest leagues to get of in the world and even with all the money in the world the best teams would probably struggle as well. Don't be fooled EPL fans you get more money and hence have better players but then on paper probs Wayne Rooney is worth more than the whole Scotland team and I reckon Scotland would come up winners against Scotland. It's not always about players in a team, it's about the actual team. I take Monaco a few seasons ago who didn't exactly have the best squad or players but they playe

[quote][quoteCeltic and Rangers would rejuvenate a somewhat jaded Premiership.[/quote] Excuse me, but the Premiership is the most competetive and exciting league in the world...[/quote] You clearly don't watch any other leagues then, the Bundesliga is much better (and the best supported league in the world aswell). Celtic and Rangers would easily leap frog liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea with those types of finances. We know how to spend money in Scotland and we have produced some of the Greatest talents in Britain. It's further to our credit that we've kept them in our country. You English fans have no idea, you're living in a phrase "EPL is the best league in the world"- it's not, not even close.

[quote]Over 38 games they will falter with the team they have. People say that with money they get in the Premiership they will be able to contend with others... then they will no longer be a scottish team though would they? That's why it's a stupid article.[/quote] You're so stupid, the EPL is an exercise in branding, it's pre-cursor was started by a scotsman. By your logic, you are already playing in a Scottish league. If it takes the old firm to wipe the floor with you so be it. Why not. Pre-season Rangers did it with Chelsea and Dundee nearly dit it with Barcelona.Celtic beat the premier league WINNERS in the CL. See you in the final 16. Losers.

You're comments show your own complete lack of football knowledge. You must be a diddy if you actually believe all this crap about the premiership. It's been the best retirement league for years now. It has one thing...lots of money. There's two teams in it (Man U/Liv)that come close to matching Celtic in terms of scale and influence and about another 2 or 3 on a par with rangers after that (Ars/Chels). Lets hope we get one of you wealthy pommies in the next round of the CL this year.