Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore believes there is little chance of an Old Firm move to the English Premier League. The Glasgow clubs appear to want to leave the SPL and the Premier League big bucks would be a major draw, however fading talks of an Atlantic league may be another alternative.
Scudamore suggests that there would be a number of reasons that the Glasgow move wouldn't happen, mainly that the 20 Premier League clubs would not vote in favour of allowing Celtic and Rangers into the league. There is also a suggestions that the benefits are all one-way therefore a pointless venture for current EPL members. The shining light for the pair is that Phil Gartside, Bolton Wanderers chairman is looking to raise a "two-tiered" EPL set-up including the Old-Firm.
On a side note, there are silly ideas coming from everywhere, not just in Scotland. Talk sport's Stan Collymore is suggesting expanding the EPL, including getting Newcastle United and Leeds United back in. He makes a number of points, which to be fair aren't the best, my favourite bit of the article comes right at the end.
"So I think we should forget the 39th game and just have the top 25 clubs in the country playing 50 games."
Well done Stan, are the teams meant to play everyone twice, including themselves!
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Monday 26 October 2009
What's gone wrong at Hearts?
Prior to the start of the season I would have said Hearts would have easily been in the running for that third spot in the SPL. Infact their was only one or two reasons that would stop them challenging the Old Firm, a goalscoring striker... or two. They had the base of a good team, solid looking defence, a hard working captain in Stewart and the creativity and skill of Driver. After 9 games of the 2009/2010 season Hearts sit in 9th with 9 points, arguably it could/should have been worse.
Has Big Bad Vlad started selecting the team again? Or stopped selecting and let Laszlo dig his grave? I have been to Tynecastle once this season (in the away end of course) and I was not impressed by the side I had tipped for third spot pre-season, even though they won 1-0. I think the old saying goes "couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo." Yes, they scored, but Driver even admitted it was a fluke after the game!
Taking the captain as an example, last season lots of jam tarts were calling for Stewart for Scotland which is a far cry from this weekend at Tynecastle. After a poor performance getting booed by almost the whole home support as he was taken off. Csaba Laszlo came out afterwards and defended the player while having a slight dig at the fans saying "We must have acceptance from the fans behind us but obviously if you win two or three-zero then it is easier to support the team."
So why has it all gone sour milk down Tynecastle way?
Has Big Bad Vlad started selecting the team again? Or stopped selecting and let Laszlo dig his grave? I have been to Tynecastle once this season (in the away end of course) and I was not impressed by the side I had tipped for third spot pre-season, even though they won 1-0. I think the old saying goes "couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo." Yes, they scored, but Driver even admitted it was a fluke after the game!
Taking the captain as an example, last season lots of jam tarts were calling for Stewart for Scotland which is a far cry from this weekend at Tynecastle. After a poor performance getting booed by almost the whole home support as he was taken off. Csaba Laszlo came out afterwards and defended the player while having a slight dig at the fans saying "We must have acceptance from the fans behind us but obviously if you win two or three-zero then it is easier to support the team."
So why has it all gone sour milk down Tynecastle way?
Sunday 25 October 2009
Rangers stagnation
If you follow the SPL and Scottish teams in Europe you will have realised this a long time ago, however Walter Smith has came out and said there is a state of stagnation at Ibrox. Speaking in an interview to the BBC he reveals some information about the club which the chairman has been strongly denying, that the club is under the control of the banks. The debt it Ibrox is reportedly in the region of £25 million, which wouldn't be impossible to manage if the Rangers fans were to support their team as they have done in years gone by. However poor performance, confusing tactics and an ever-shrinking amount of talent in the squad (the cynic in me would also suggest that it is because they are not winning games) have left Rangers fans staying away from Ibrox on match days. Smith commented on the reason why he was unable to enter the transfer market prior to the season "Now the bank have taken over the running of the club. They'll have their own ideas and obviously investment isn't one of them,"
With David Murray having stepped down, there appears to be a complete lack of leadership at Ibrox and I am sure most Rangers fans will be hoping that a buyer will be found for their club soon.
Other press reports have Walter Smith stating that Scottish football is in "meltdown" which obviously is a RFC deflecting technique. Every time one of the old firm have a bad result or two, it is the rest of Scottish footballs fault, never anything to do with themselves. I think the next year or two will be a very interesting time for both sides of the old firm, both squads/clubs are obviously in decline and one of the rest could very well split or possibly even top the old firm. Now the results are not all going their way I would imagine attendances will drop as the glory hunters that bloat their support will float away as easily as they came. Not that I get any particular joy out of this situation, but it does level the playing field somewhat, a well placed club or two could profit massively from this old firm blunder series.
With David Murray having stepped down, there appears to be a complete lack of leadership at Ibrox and I am sure most Rangers fans will be hoping that a buyer will be found for their club soon.
Other press reports have Walter Smith stating that Scottish football is in "meltdown" which obviously is a RFC deflecting technique. Every time one of the old firm have a bad result or two, it is the rest of Scottish footballs fault, never anything to do with themselves. I think the next year or two will be a very interesting time for both sides of the old firm, both squads/clubs are obviously in decline and one of the rest could very well split or possibly even top the old firm. Now the results are not all going their way I would imagine attendances will drop as the glory hunters that bloat their support will float away as easily as they came. Not that I get any particular joy out of this situation, but it does level the playing field somewhat, a well placed club or two could profit massively from this old firm blunder series.
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