What would happen if Celtic left Scottish football

I'd be flying to games instead of supporters bus... In all seriousness, id * love it, and for us to leave the huns in scotland.

 

'New' Firm of interest' to Super League, says football finance expert Kieran Maguire

Celtic and Rangers "are certainly of interest" to European Super League organisers, believes football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

While the Old Firm have confirmed their commitment to Uefa competitions, Maguire said both clubs are an attractive proposition for the ESL.

The revamped ESL proposal includes 64 teams split across three divisions.

"They're clubs with heritage and history domestically and in Europe," Maguire told BBC Scotland.

"They have big fanbases and generate clicks and interest from the media.

"I am sure the organisers would be wanting to have both of those clubs involved but it will be a merit-based competition, different to the original version which was an invite-based competition."

The original idea for the Super League surfaced in 2021 but has returned to the spotlight after a ruling by the European Court of Justice found Fifa and Uefa "abused a dominant position" by threatening clubs with sanctions and exclusion for their involvement.

A new format has been unveiled by the competition organisers A22. The proposed three-tiered system comprises the Star League and Gold League, both including 16 teams, with the bottom tier - the Blue League - featuring the remaining 32.

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack believes the ESL will happen and fears it could further increase the financial gulf between the Old Firm and the rest of the Scottish clubs.

Maguire added: "I think a lot depends on who is going to be funding the Super League.

"If Saudi Arabia comes in via the Public Investment Fund and provides similar financial backing to what we have seen in the likes of LIV golf, then the current gap between Celtic and Rangers and the likes of Aberdeen - which is currently around £70m or £80m - would be accelerated.

"Having said that, if you are not going to be at the very top tier of the competition I do not think there would be as big a gap.

"All of the focus is likely to be on the 16 clubs who are at the top.

"If Celtic and Rangers are at that top table I think we could see a substantial increase to the already gargantuan differences in the funding in the Scottish game."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67812719

 

Celtic leaving Scottish football would wreck the league financially and weaken competition. TV deals would shrink, clubs would struggle, and the whole setup would lose its appeal and credibility.