Not sure of the author but this seems to be doing the rounds http://thefootballlife.tumblr.com/post/22642897455/the-celtic-question The Celtic Question Last night, I tweeted about a rumour I’d heard. The rumour is the following: After the Hearts game, Celtic will announce their intention to resign from the SPL. I’ve spent time since corroborating that rumour into something with a bit more substance behind it, but from the reaction in the twittersphere, the general feeling is “Thank goodness, but where next”. Which I hope to answer here. Why would Celtic want to leave the SPL? Firstly, Celtic are against a NewCo. This is now very clear. So far, according to a source at the club, Celtic have had in excess of 5,000 current season ticket holders contact them to say that they will not renew until a NewCo decision is made by the SPL and that the majority of these have stated that, should the NewCo be allowed direct entry to the SPL, they will not renew their season ticket at all. That is well over 10% of Celtic’s season ticket holders who have taken the time and effort to tell the club what they think about a NewCo. While some of it may be bluster, there is likely to be a large amount of people who think the same thing but simply haven’t, at this point, contacted the club. And it’s a figure that’s gotten the board worried. That would take almost £200k per home game out of the clubs finances (over £3m per season) which is considered far too much to lose. Why now? Yesterday’s delayed vote has firmed the resolve of everyone in the game. They believe that a NewCo will be formed before the vote on 28th May. They believe that this will mean a NewCo will be allowed into the SPL without punishment. Even if neither of these come true before that point, Neil Doncaster has publicly stated the vote will be on a rule change, not a share transfer, meaning it only needs an 8-4 split to pass, not a 10-2 split. In addition, potential allies for Celtic in voting down the changes in the now-relegated Dunfermline, have been prevented from voting. Quite simply, now is the point of no return. This course has been set upon by Celtic as they have no faith in the competency of Neil Doncaster or the honesty of the other clubs as they have started to indicate which way they will vote already. What will happen? One of two things - either the SPL will cave in and stop NewCo entry (without it having to get to a vote) to appease Celtic or they won’t? If they do? Then Celtic will retract their threat to leave and continue to play in the SPL, albeit vastly more influential than they were before this situation. Rangers will have to start from SFL 3. If they don’t? There are many possibilities if this threat is ignored. Firstly, more clubs may join Celtic in resigning from the league. If Celtic can get a couple of clubs to join them, then they can set up a breakaway league which, commercially, would be more viable than the current SPL. Secondly, other clubs may not join them. This means Celtic have 2 seasons to devise an exit strategy or retract their resignation. Possible exit strategies would include the share transfer of a Club in an existing league to Celtic (exactly what Rangers plan to do in the SPL, except to another FA) in which case they are likely to take on the highest placed club likely to liquidate (Portsmouth would be prime candidates, but Celtic would have plenty of options) or just plain joining another league (Portugal are considering expansion - would Celtic’s commercial attraction be enough to sway that debate?). The next option would be to call in UEFA - Celtic have a voice there and would be prepared to use it as a last resort (as likely UEFA would place sanctions against all clubs, punishing Celtic as well as the rest of the SPL) Even if they ended up simply retracting their resignation, while there would be a loss of face, it would be enough to shock the SPL into reform. How likely is it to work? It is considered to be very likely to work, verging on definite. In the space of 2 seasons, Rangers NewCo will not be challenging for trophies so the commercial benefit to the league of their presence is likely to be minimal. Taking away Celtic, who would at that point be the undisputed major force in Scottish football, driving revenues and performance in Europe, would send many clubs into administration as there would be no alternative to Celtic’s revenues (no Celtic 2). Secondly, the humiliation to the league of having the reigning champions simply walk out of the league would kill the game in Scotland. There would be no comeback to that - the second the SPL winners flag and trophy was unveiled at a Celtic game in another league, the SPL would be dead. It would cease to have any relevance and Scottish football as a whole would be a joke worldwide. Finally, if clubs are worried about revenues without one of the Old Firm, imagine what they will be like if they think that allowing Rangers NewCo back in will cost them Celtic. What do Celtic want? Rangers NewCo to start from Division 3. That’s all What will the other clubs think? The debate so far has been commercial interests vs sporting integrity. With Celtic’s ultimatum, the debate changes to Rangers vs Sporting Integrity and commercial interests. This should be enough to sway the vote against Rangers. Finally, how credible is this? Very. It has been known that this option was on the table by members of the media for some time, but has not been published as a) nothing concrete was there and b) it is in their interests for Rangers to be in the SPL so they are unlikely to report it anyway. The SPL’s procrastination has, however, forced Celtic’s hand. I will leave you to make your own mind up about the possibilities forthwith, but the fact is that this changes the game beyond all recognition. Yesterday we woke to “How to force Rangers into the SPL”, today it’s “How to stop Celtic from leaving it”.
A 3 year resigning process is more plausible, but Celtic are contracted to the likes of sponsors and I'm guessing the tv deal to so many appearances a year. The Green Brigade have apparently said they will not renew their season books if Rangers are allowed back in - an utterly pointless and I hope toothless threat. Punishing Celtic for the sins of Rangers and the other SPL clubs who vote them back in is ******ed.
A boycott of away games would do the trick. The likes of Michael Johnstone can see how many fans a depleted Newco bring to away games.
I've heard a rumour that Celtic's exit strategy is in advance stages. They have agreement to "buy in" to League 1 in England. The "buy in" includes a lareg sum of money to be shared among the existing clubs. This proposal has agreement from the Football League and UEFA.
£60 million buyout, but only if Rangers are allowed in SPL. Celtic can then appeal to UEFA to give them dispensation to move leagues (no integrity in Scotland) Or so i heard
I heard a rumour that if you get 3 of Kelvin Wilson jerseys, it says 6-6-6 and that he is the son of the devil.
Whilst I'm not sure on rumours I do believe these past 6 years or more Celtic have been trying to distance themselves from rangers deliberately as they believe it more likely try can move leagues alone, and Desmond wants his hands on money that would come with that. They might just use this chance! Might explain the silence
Rangers quit the SPL = nobody will be affected Celtic quit the SPL = the whole game will be finished "driving revenues and performance in Europe"
Slight difference. Firstly rangers aren't quitting- they are being allows back in! And they'll eventually return. Celtics threat would see them leave forever and leave the spl with a weak rangers and no Celtic
I heard a rumour that harryhood is now compiling cryptic crosswords. Check out this clue I came across the other day: McCoist upset after losing medal? He's resigned (5)
Although its, from a fan perspective, punishing the SPL for its lack of integrity Celtic and Desmond will see it as a possible loophole into England Assuming its all true
I think maybe the point was that if Celtic were to quit the SPL right now, with Rangers being ****ed, then the whole league would be ****ed.
