Should the Old Firm be in the Premier League?

As a Rangers fan, I can honestly say I would love to escape the monotonous seasonal one-two that occurs in the SPL. I 'firmly' believe that the Old Firm could compete and feasibly win in the Premier League and I have had many a discussion with friends on why and why not the pair should be allowed in. The argument for such an entry is not only pub talk, but is an ongoing argument at the highest level of football, with two opposing sides being represented by 'money men' and the 'traditionalists'.

The subject of Rangers and Celtic becoming part of the Premier League continues to be a major talking point and Rangers manager, Walter Smith, has clearly defined views on the matter:

I would love to see it happen, because it would be of enormous benefit to both clubs and for the Scottish national team, but I don't know whether English teams, in the end, would vote for that. I don't think they would.

I remember being at Everton once where it was asked at a board meeting and the directors said there would be no chance of it happening. That would be the case in most boardrooms, because Rangers and Celtic would not come down here to be middle-of-the-league clubs. After the bedding-in period they would be among the challengers for the title. I think that would be apparent to most English clubs, and that is why I don't think we will get the opportunity.

The main argument against the introduction of the Old Firm to the Premier League is the simple fact that both clubs are Scottish, despite the fact that one is arguably more Irish than Scottish. Other opponents argue that they wouldn’t bring anything to the league, or that the SPL would simply collapse in the wake of the Old Firm's departure. My reply to people, who bring up nationality as a reason against, is that Cardiff have won the FA Cup, and just last year, nearly won it again. Cardiff are a Welsh team, along with Swansea and Wrexham. Further, Cardiff could, in the very near future, be in the Premier League.

Some of my pessimistic friends comment: 'Well if that’s the case, that Rangers and Celtic have become too big for the SPL, then why shouldn’t a similar isolated duo of teams such as Ajax and PSV play in the Bundesliga for example?' Well, for starters the Eredivisie earns more money than the SPL, so neither of those two clubs are dying a slow death. Also, if you look at the previous winners in that league over the last ten years, no club has one the title more than two times in a row. It is however true that the remaining clubs would be severely hurt financially by the Old Firm heading south of the border.

Most clubs, but especially the smaller SPL sides, rely on their four Old Firm games to boost the coffers; the away fans of both the Glasgow sides outnumber the home supporters when they play clubs like Inverness and Hamilton. But, on the flip side, maybe it is time for the other teams to stop relying upon the Old Firm and to start working with more realistic budgets. Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs all have good stadiums, with good behind the scenes set-ups, these would be the clubs to step into the void. After a few years finishing in the top two, and getting into the Champions League, they would start to see some real money.

The main, and most moronic, argument against this move is: 'What would they bring to the table?' This argument is where the 'money men' come into play, and the money could quite possibly the thing that allows the Old Firm in. The appeal of the Old Firm is world-wide as Tony Mowbray recently stated. Mowbray, who left West Brom to take charge at Celtic Park this summer, knows that even a well organized club like West Brom finds it very hard to compete at the highest level. But, he is of the belief that the Old Firm, with its fan base, would be able to hold their own in the Premiership.

My first game in charge was in Australia and to see 25,000 Celtic supporters in the stadium suggest it is a world-wide club that would bring a world-wide audience to the Premiership.

I think they would enhance the Premier League.

Bolton's chairman, Phil Gartside, envisages a revamped Premiership set up which would involve the Premier League being reduced to 18 clubs and the introduction of a second tier of 18 clubs, including the two Glasgow sides. His plan won’t work, as middle-level English teams, and even some of the big boys, would not support the arrival of Celtic and Rangers into the Premier League as they know that the Old Firm teams, with Premier League money at their disposal, would ultimately threaten their own place within the league. A different proposal would've have to be created.

If a suitable solution was found, the Old Firm would bring a great deal to English football. The most significant aspect of which would be a following that exceeds all, bar Manchester United and Liverpool. Currently Celtic and Rangers are third and fourth in average home attendance tally, behind Manchester United and Arsenal. They also have a traveling support that is the equal to any in English football. Although it is hard to believe overseas interest in the Premier League could grow, it undoubtedly would if Celtic and Rangers were involved. This would be especially true in North America and Australia, whose large Scottish and Irish ex-pat communities still fervently follow the Old Firm. At the very least, the idea of the Old Firm joining the Premier League qualifies as innovative. It is workable too, both in a geographical and logistical sense. With cheap inter-city flights, it would cost the same for a fan of Chelsea or Portsmouth to travel up to Glasgow as it would to watch their sides play any of the teams in the North East.

The relocation of the Old Firm would be a good thing for the global brand that is the Premier League, it would also benefit the Scottish national team, and eventually the other smaller SPL sides, but can I see it happening in the next 10 years? Possibly. In the next 5 years? No way.

Josh