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In time-honoured fashion Dermot Desmond has went public with his belief\/desire\/delusion that Celtic and Rangers will be playing domestic football to the South of Hadrian\u2019s wall in the not too distant future.<\/p>\n
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This is a sample of some of the many words offered by the most robust moustache in European football:<\/p>\n
\u201cOur concentration is to win the Scottish Premier League. As far as developing other leagues, I think technology is going to change and evolve how football is sold in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘Before it was a monopoly with either terrestrial TV or satellite TV, now everybody has the ability to broadcast their results and performances.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘In the future I think there will be different types of negotiations between teams and leagues that will evolve into more competitive leagues in the British Isles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Below, is what he looked like whilst sharing these views.<\/span><\/p>\n I merely jest. For many, the idea of not playing in Scotland is laughable. The English Premier League considered the matter in 2009; after 34 nanoseconds of deep contemplation they kindly told ourselves and the recent victims of disrespect (it\u2019s amazing what a decent opposition of full timers can do isn\u2019t it?) to do one and build another wall slightly above Carlisle. That killed it then and with the \u00a35 billion TV deal due to kick in there would not appear to be much need or want on the part of the English to entertain this suggestion, again.<\/span><\/p>\n Yet, despite the ostensibly ludicrous nature of Desmond\u2019s suggestion it does, in my feeble opinion, merit investigation. Is he on to something here or is it a simple case of Johnnie Walker Blue Label for breakfast?<\/span><\/p>\n First up, I\u2019ll look at why it won\u2019t happen as it\u2019s easier to begin with the Status Quo (not Francis Rossi et al). As any budding economist shall tell you the English do not need us. Their clubs are trousering the cash, able to outdo the rest of Europe in the transfer market and a lot of people are enjoying very nice salaries thanks to the league they play in, regardless of whether the club is particularly successful or otherwise. Here\u2019s a wee example \u2013 Johnny Evans left Manchester United, a club who will likely compete for trophies over the duration of his career, for West Bromwich Albion, who probably won\u2019t. Yes, regular first team football is very important to a football player but then again, so is \u00a375,000 per week. The introduction of two big clubs would, quite frankly, make a lot of the dross down there shite themselves. They are doing far too well out of the current set up for it to change.<\/span><\/p>\n Another reason in the \u2018naw\u2019 corner would be the amount of change required, in a short space of time, for both teams to survive in that league. We are a decent level of Europa League standard at best, the other mob are nowhere near that. Granted, when they get promoted they should improve and, with the likely increased competition we may up it a level but the intensity of matches in the English Premier League would pose a very severe challenge to any squad coming in from life in Scotland. There would have to be considerable investment in personnel and, albeit the funds would be there, we are constantly reminded that spending copious amounts of money does not guarantee success, or indeed survival, in that environment. Think of that the next time you laugh at Dick Advocaat \u2013 which means the next time Sunderland play.<\/span><\/p>\n Following that, and I probably should have stated this first, is our travelling support. Paul the Tim will be tested to his limits as we would could face a midweek tie at Southampton, Saturday at home to Newcastle and then another midweek away to Norwich. I don\u2019t know if this scenario would unfold in November as I\u2019m making it up and the weather is a bit of an unknown quantity at the best of times so I would be reluctant to speculate with regards to that as well. I suppose it would be good news for our support based through the UK but for us Weegies it would be a proper pain in the arse.<\/span><\/p>\n Lastly in Team Negative\u2019s Arsenal (see what I did there? Topical) is the matter of European Football. I think we could more or less forget it for at least five years. Most of my favorite moments of the last 15 years have come from watching Celtic take part in some fantastic European encounters. I\u2019ll also admit to taking pleasure in Rangers\u2019 disasters in the same time period. So I would be concerned about seeing these fixtures potentially, disappearing from our fixture list.<\/span><\/p>\n So, what about the reasons why? Here\u2019s the main one – \u00a3\u00a3\u00a3. We\u2019ll make a shiteload of cash. We are a very marketable brand, a famous club, romantic and iconic history, recognisable strip and Mark McNally played for us. Peter Lawwell\u2019s bonus would have to be calculated by NASA but we would still be coining it in. How would we use this extra TV income? Buy better players? Stick another tier on the Main Stand?\u00a0 Who knows but the greedy bastard inside of you feels we would should do it.<\/span><\/p>\n We would be up against a better standard of opposition on a weekly basis. We should have a more competitive and enjoyable product in front of our eyes. Crowds would rise, season tickets sales would go up and so will ticket prices \u2013 I think that\u2019s something to be wary of; if you don\u2019t believe me then try to get a ticket for an Arsenal home game \u2013 make sure you have a driving licence, passport and recent utility bill handy before you do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/p>\n