Where should the Scottish Premier sit?

[Big Boy]

Which English football division do forum members think Scottish Premier League (SPL) teams could successfully compete?

When managing Plymouth, Paul Sturrock won League 1 by importing a lot of players from the SPL. When Plymouth got to the Championship, Bobby Williamson imported a few more SPL players, including the (at the time) Scottish International Centre Forward - they were all flops. Plymouth struggled for Championship survival.

Tony Pullis and Ian Holloway got shot of the lot of them, and created a team that challenged for promotion to the Premiership.

Paul Sturrock came back, sold Plymouth's team for millions, and replaced them with SPL players again. Plymouth survived by one place last season, and are likely to be relegated this season.

Paul Mariner has been keen to get rid of some of his Scottish deadweight, and has brought in a few decent players to replace them. OK, probably too little too late.

One of the players he has loaned out to Aberdeen couldn't even get a game for Plymouth reserves (although he had a prolific goal scoring record for Sheffield Wednesday when taking them from League 1 to the Championship). The result being last week Steve McLean scored for Aberdeen midweek, and netted 2 more against the mighty Celtic at the weekend.

I had often considered the SPL as being on a par with the Championship; but I am now starting to think evidence puts the SPL on a par with League 1. I could quote a few more similar examples.

I'd like to hear the thoughts of other members.

[lindosfan1]

I think Rangers and Celtic would survive in the premier league. The rest of them have not got the cash to buy the players. Unfortunately big money has taken over the sport and unless you have rich backers the pickings are likely to be very poor.

[redzonerocker]

I think Rangers and Celtic would survive in the premier league.

maybe they would
i think that if it did ever come about, they would have to prove their worth by getting promoted to the premiership via the championship.

although both celtic & rangers have had decent showings in some european games over the years, whether they could perform week in week out over the whole season in the prem is another matter

[BaaBaa.]

i think that if it did ever come about, they would have to prove their worth by getting promoted to the premiership via the championship.

I think they should have to start right at the bottom like any other club.

I don't see why they should have some divine right to start competing in England at a higher level than an English club.

[lindosfan1]

Baa Baa said

I think they should have to start right at the bottom like any other club.

I don't see why they should have some divine right to start competing in England at a higher level than an English club.

I am inclined to agree with you, probably the best way is a competition to see where they fit in.
It might work if the end of season playoffs for the championship included the SPL teams.
The nonqualifying SPL teams go into the league one playoffs, then drop another level till all the SPL teams are fitted in.
The league would have to be increased in size for a couple of seasons.
One of the problems for poorer clubs would be increased travel costs.
There has been talk before of Rangers and Celtic wanting to join the English league, not sure about the others though.

[redzonerocker]

I think they should have to start right at the bottom like any other club.

I don't see why they should have some divine right to start competing in England at a higher level than an English club.

i was only suggesting the big two

i think they would have something to offer the premier league once established.
other teams such as hearts, hibs, dundee & utd & aberdeen would too in the long run.

the money generated with the renewed rivalry & competition would easily cover any extra expenses.
i think too, it would benefit scottish teams in european competitions.

it would be interesting to hear a scottish viewpoint & not just negative english ones

[caller]

It won't happen thank goodness, it was ruled out be the premier league only recently. Who want's hordes of drunken jocks coming down to London at least 10 times a season, not to mention anywhere else! Was it in Manchester they ran riot recently, with mobs attacking Police Officers!

[BaaBaa.]

I think they should have to start right at the bottom like any other club.

I don't see why they should have some divine right to start competing in England at a higher level than an English club.

i was only suggesting the big two

That's who I was referring to.

[hhfarang]

Where should the Scottish Premier sit?

On his arse of course...

[Arcadian]

In Scotland, forever and always. Why should England support Scottish teams financially, they all seem to hate the English football teams anyway. Ask most Scotsmen who they will support in the world cup and they normally reply "anyone playing England". I know the Scottish supporters have a good reputation on away matches but this seems to dissolve when they come to England. Just say NO.

[Tam]

Caller,

I have had the honour of supporting Celtic for over forty years and I am fiercely proud of record of friendship,camaradrie, and sporsmanship.

You refer to the rampaging hordes at Manchester. yet you fail to mention that the Celtic Supporters were awarded the Fair Play award by both FIFA and UEFA in season 2002/03 when we took over 80,000 to Seville for the UEFA Cup final - not one arrest.

And over the years I've travelled for testimonials and friendlies at Everton, Arsenal, Fulham, Coventry where we were greeted with friendship and open arms. No wonder we have been invited to testimonials for Bobby Moore, The Charltons, Shearer, Tony Adams, Bryan Robson and many others. And it was no surpise that Liverpool chose Celtic to play as their first opponents following Hillsborough.

As to the substantive question, I think the SPL is on a par with the Championship - and I know as I watch Championship games regularly as well as travelling to Parkhead. However, were Celtic and Rangers (two massive clubs) able to access the same tv money available to those in the Englsih Premiership, then I have no doubt they would compete with the top Englsih teams.

Fundamentally there are four major leagues in Europe: England, Germany, Spain and Italy - all the rest have to sing for their supper.

I for one have no desire for my team to join the Englsih Premiership, we are a Scottish team and should remain so.

No doubt when the Europan League becomes a reality then the state of affairs will change.

[BaaBaa.]

Scotland will lose one of their two Champions League places from the season after next, the Scottish Premier League confirmed today.

Last night's Europa League results for Belgian clubs saw them overtake Scotland into 15th spot in UEFA's co-efficient ranking table. A fall to 16th also means the 2010-11 SPL champions will not qualify automatically for the following season's Champions League group stage.

They will instead have to navigate three qualifying rounds, though all matches will be against champions from smaller European nations rather than runners-up or third- and fourth-placed sides from larger countries.

But the loss of a Champions League spot is potentially a huge blow to the Old Firm, who published their half-yearly accounts this week in which the difference between reaching the group stage and failing to do so was laid bare.

Next season will see both the SPL winners and runners-up in the Champions League, with the runners-up facing two qualifying rounds, the second of which could be against one of the giants of the European game.

An SPL spokesman told Press Association Sport: "Our clubs are sorted for next season. It's for the season after that that Belgium are now above us."

[mars]

As a celtic supporter I feel the standard has dropped remarkably during the last few years.

This is mainly due to a lack of money as they hardly get any TV money compared to the premiership.

The old firm would hold there own in the championship and make the premiership in 3 or 4 years as they get decent crowds and would be able to buy and pay better players than they have now. 2 or 3 of the others would struggle to stay in the championship, the rest would hardly be able to stay in the 2nd div.

[redzonerocker]

As a celtic supporter I feel the standard has dropped remarkably during the last few years.

you ain't kidding mars . . . . . .

today's scottish cup semi final

celtic 0-2 ross county

[Lung Per]

Why should Scottish clubs participate in the English league?
Isn't Scotland fighting for its independence??
Do we really want bagpipes, kilt and sneakers in England???