RangeROFLs

[leww_rfc]

So Who'd they get in the draw?

[Ark Royal]

Meanwhile, a true Celtic footballing power - Shamrock Rovers - qualify for the group stage after an incredible away win against Partizan. Check out their first goal. What a strike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOfNq6JY_BE

[RoyalChicagoFC]

Superb, Arky

Calls to mind this

[FiNeRaIn]

No, you guys wouldn't.

At best you guys would be just another Newcastle, well supported but not successful...at all.

Deluded if you think you'd be any bigger/better than that. And quite frankly, I'd rather not have the bigotry , that comes with you and Celtic, thanks.

Yes, we would.

Rangers and celtic are much, much bigger than the likes of Newcastle. You've just proved your lack of football knowledge and you have nothing to base your opinion on. You are absolutely deluded if you think they wouldn't be. Newcastle have a loyal fanbase but they don't have a worldwide one such as celtic or Rangers.

Makes me laugh when these english people comment on the old firm and have no idea about how well supported internationally they are.

[soggy biscuit]

Makes me laugh when these english people comment on the old firm and have no idea about how well supported internationally they are.

Please enlighten us

[FiNeRaIn]

Makes me laugh when these english people comment on the old firm and have no idea about how well supported internationally they are.

Please enlighten us

Over 130,000 rangers fans alone made the trip to manchester for the Uefa cup final alone, most knowing they wouldn't get tickets. Both rangers and Celtic would sell out every single home and away game in the premier league without fail. Most other clubs barring Man UTD and Liverpool wouldn't be able to say the same. When you got in excess of 45,000 playing the likes of Inverness, St johnstone, Dundee UTD,etc every week - playing against big clubs is going to only boost the fans interests ten fold.
People are stupid if they really can't see that with the addition of playing in the prem and competing with the top European clubs for wages....both clubs wouldn't increase massively in quality and being able to attract good players. I am not saying they would win the league, I don't believe that. But passing them off to struggle in the prem with an infrastructure and support much better than most clubs there is frankly laughable and shows a complete ignorance to the history and size of both clubs.

I am off to the gym, ill reply to the doubters when back.

[cmonurz]

You're kidding yourself if you think they can compete with any of the top 7 or 8 clubs on wages. You only have to look at their squads to realise that.

[Tails]

Makes me laugh when these english people comment on the old firm and have no idea about how well supported internationally they are.

Please enlighten us

Over 130,000 rangers fans alone made the trip to manchester for the Uefa cup final alone, most knowing they wouldn't get tickets. Both rangers and Celtic would sell out every single home and away game in the premier league without fail. Most other clubs barring Man UTD and Liverpool wouldn't be able to say the same. When you got in excess of 45,000 playing the likes of Inverness, St johnstone, Dundee UTD,etc every week - playing against big clubs is going to only boost the fans interests ten fold.
People are stupid if they really can't see that with the addition of playing in the prem and competing with the top European clubs for wages....both clubs wouldn't increase massively in quality and being able to attract good players. I am not saying they would win the league, I don't believe that. But passing them off to struggle in the prem with an infrastructure and support much better than most clubs there is frankly laughable and shows a complete ignorance to the history and size of both clubs.

I am off to the gym, ill reply to the doubters when back.

You'd be no better than Leeds.....oh.

[soggy biscuit]

Makes me laugh when these english people comment on the old firm and have no idea about how well supported internationally they are.

Please enlighten us

Both rangers and Celtic would sell out every single home and away game in the premier league without fail.

This is nothing more than your opinion and not a fact, and others diagree anyway.

[Mr Angry]

Celtic & Rangers are big fish in a puddle of piss; no-one outside Scotland (or Jocks abroad) give a flying one for either team.

So what that expat Scots latch onto one or other team? The fact that an individuals allegiance to one or other team has everything to do with religion is the reason why the rest of the World have never heard of either club.

The fact that neither of them (let alone Hearts) could even qualify for the group stages of the EUFA Cup (the International equivilent of the Johnstons Paint Trophy that is such a waste of time even Reading didn't bother applying for it when they had the chance in 06) sums up both clubs REAL standing and, more generally, the state of Scottish football today. Basically, neither Rangers or Celtic are as good as either Stoke, Fulham or Birmingham City.

Still, at least it allows hem to focus on whats REALLY important - making sure that they are the number one team in Scotland's 2nd City........................

[Stranded]

Makes me laugh when these english people comment on the old firm and have no idea about how well supported internationally they are.

Please enlighten us

Over 130,000 rangers fans alone made the trip to manchester for the Uefa cup final alone, most knowing they wouldn't get tickets. Both rangers and Celtic would sell out every single home and away game in the premier league without fail. Most other clubs barring Man UTD and Liverpool wouldn't be able to say the same. When you got in excess of 45,000 playing the likes of Inverness, St johnstone, Dundee UTD,etc every week - playing against big clubs is going to only boost the fans interests ten fold.
People are stupid if they really can't see that with the addition of playing in the prem and competing with the top European clubs for wages....both clubs wouldn't increase massively in quality and being able to attract good players. I am not saying they would win the league, I don't believe that. But passing them off to struggle in the prem with an infrastructure and support much better than most clubs there is frankly laughable and shows a complete ignorance to the history and size of both clubs.

I am off to the gym, ill reply to the doubters when back.

I don't doubt they would sell out every home and away game, at first. However, in the relatively likely event that they were not successful for a few seasons, finishing mid-table (which I think they would) the interest in going to another game at Wigan/Stoke/Swansea/Norwich would ease off, especially if there is a reduced chance of victory. It happens (and has happened) historically to the bigger English clubs and is just the fickle nature of fandom.

[FiNeRaIn]

You'd be no better than Leeds.....oh.

Oh what?

Makes no sense.

Watch out for the little englander everyone

[handbags_harris]

Mr A, you make a fairly valid point, but that doesn't take into account what may happen should Celtic and Rangers have the financial muscle that the Premier League club have. Fundamental flaw in your argument - the fact that Rangers were able to attract some of European football's top names a mere 10 years ago suggests that Rangers, at least, have a pedigree in European football.

[soggy biscuit]

the fact that Rangers were able to attract some of European football's top names a mere 10 years ago.

Some of Europe's top names? and ones that are not past their prime and just in it for the easy time and money?

Looking at their squad from 10 year ago I am struggling to see these players you talk of
http://en.eufo.de/football/squad/glasgow-rangers/2001-02

[FiNeRaIn]

Albertz, de boer, flo, numan, klos, reyna and mols were all a good European standard at the time from the season before the one listed. Top european players are pushing it, but at least a good european standard than would have comfortably beaten anyone outside the top 4 in england. Celtic also had some good players around that time also. The reason the SPL is utter dire now is because English clubs have massively inflated and single highhandedly destroyed european football with silly money - they need to be capped because they aren't responsible. Why would you stay in scotland on 15k per week when you can play for relegation battlers in the prem for treble that? Readings wages are on a par with rangers, a team thats won over 50 domestic titles, european trophys and averages around 45-50,000 a week most seasons. Does that not tell you something?

[cmonurz]

I'm still unable to understand your assertion that the Old Firm could compete with the Premier League's leading clubs on a transfer and wages basis.

Rangers have no-one in their current squad purchased for more than £4m. Their leading strikers were signed from Burnley and Kilmarnock. And journeyman David Healy. And James Beattie ffs. Likewise Celtic - Stokes and Samaras?

Even if you accept that the clubs' European pedigree could attract better players in the Premier League, which I don't (in a similar vein, Liverpool have much to thank Benitez for as without the profile of the 2005 CL win, I don't think they'd have retained their status amongst Europe's elite), neither Rangers or Celtic have millions of pounds splashing around. It would take some time to become financially structured in a way that would enable them to compete with the PL's big clubs.

Edit: That Jelavic looks handy though.

[blindedbythelights]

Plus. Jocks talk funny.

[FiNeRaIn]

I'm still unable to understand your assertion that the Old Firm could compete with the Premier League's leading clubs on a transfer and wages basis.

Rangers have no-one in their current squad purchased for more than £4m. Their leading strikers were signed from Burnley and Kilmarnock. And journeyman David Healy. And James Beattie ffs. Likewise Celtic - Stokes and Samaras?

Even if you accept that the clubs' European pedigree could attract better players in the Premier League, which I don't (in a similar vein, Liverpool have much to thank Benitez for as without the profile of the 2005 CL win, I don't think they'd have retained their status amongst Europe's elite), neither Rangers or Celtic have millions of pounds splashing around. It would take some time to become financially structured in a way that would enable them to compete with the PL's big clubs.

Edit: That Jelavic looks handy though.

Where did I say they would instantly dominate? It would take a few years, people down here don't understand the size and following of both clubs, you really don't. Within a few years both clubs would have millions to spend on players, neither team would be relegated currently although they would struggle lower half of the table. It wouldn't happen overnight, but the support, infrastructure and brand of both clubs are a lot bigger than the likes of newcastle, villa, tottenham, etc None of those clubs would take anywhere close to 130,000 fans if the UEFA cup was up in glasgow.

[cmonurz]

Yes, you've mentioned the 130,000 fans once or twice before.

Aside from packing out their grounds week in week out (don't they do that anyway) how is a team struggling in the lower half of the PL going to generate millions of pounds to create squads to challenge for European places? TV money? All the clubs get that.

[FiNeRaIn]

Yes, you've mentioned the 130,000 fans once or twice before.

Aside from packing out their grounds week in week out (don't they do that anyway) how is a team struggling in the lower half of the PL going to generate millions of pounds to create squads to challenge for European places? TV money? All the clubs get that.

Don't you think both clubs are likely to raise ticket prices significantly? I mean playing man utd, liverpool, arsenal, man city, chelsea,etc compared to dundee utd, motherwell, hibs,etc is going to see a significant raise in pricing. Merchandising will go up, sponsors will go up now the clubs get much bigger international exposure. All that plus getting 90 million a year or so on TV money is ridiculous. It really would not be a problem at all. Having said all that I doubt it'll ever happen.