Atletico Madrid, Udinese, Rennes and Celtic. Sounds a bit daunting doesn't it? Some Celtic fans have argued that we shouldn't be in there with such difficult opponents. They cite the performances against FC Sion as evidence that we're simply not good enough to compete at that level. That may or may not be true but it misses the point entirely. In fact, it misses two. Firstly, FC Sion fielded players that they were warned by both FIFA and UEFA were ineligible for the competition. Secondly, and in my view more importantly, a club the size of Celtic needs European football. Not only does it help the the club's financial balance sheet but it gives the fans something to look forward to. Midweek European games distract us from the domestic game and all the problems associated with it: falling attendencies, poor playing surfaces, incompetent officials etc. They provide us with excitement, something to look forward to and are a welcome financial boost to the club. Who knows, the money raised through gate receipts, TV money, merchandise as well as UEFA's allocation could be the difference between signing one or two player in January or not signing any at all. The other advantage of being in European competition is the experience it gives players. We have a youthful squad and many of them have little European experience beyond a couple of qualifying games played early season when players aren't fully match fit. Just imagine how much it would benefit players such as Hooper, Kayal and Kelvin Wilson to travel to play games in Spain, Italy and France? I don't know what the final outcome of UEFA's investigation into FC Sion will be but I for one hope that it results in Celtic being reinstated in the competition. Bring on the your Rennes and Udinese, bring on Spanish by the score...
I don't agree that Celtic or anyone else who got knocked out of Europe in one competition should get a 2nd bite of the cherry in another Euro comp. Why should they? Just sheer greed put into place by the big clubs. Lets face it Celtic are in Europe every year, year on year. Then they get another go, if they get knocked out early! WTF? Fair Play? When does that start?
But Sion went through courtesy of fielding players that both FIFA and UEFA told them were ineligible. Do you think it would be fair if Celtic did that?
No, Sion should be thrown out if guilty. My point is that teams that 'fail', are clogging up places in the 2nd tier competition when there are other clubs who could be having a chance in Europe.
It would be silly to change it now, it's already under way. What I'm saying is:- For those that qualify, one European competition per club, per season........
In english? Your moaning about teams geting knocked out of the cl then going into the Europa? Well we haven't done that
In English or any language. The Plate in any competition is the 2nd tier. Those knocked out of the good one. No you haven't done it. This time. But you've done it loads of times, taken other teams places, that is. It's not just Celtic it's all the other greedy bassa's as well at the top table.
You make it sound as if Celtic and Rangers are getting favourable treatment from UEFA. The truth is these competitions are weighed heavily in favour of the big countries like England and Spain. FOUR teams in the CL. How many teams are missing out because the teams that finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in these countries are in the CL? Scottish teams, like teams from other small countries, are scrabbling around feeding on crumbs dropped from the big table.
