The Future of Rangers – Outside Scotland?

On Thursday, Phil Gartside will put across his proposal for the movement of Rangers and Celtic to the English Leagues in a format of EPL & EPL2. Its a big deal in Scotland, will the future of Scotland’s big two lie away from the Scottish Premier League in the future in England or in an Atlantic League?

My view is a simple one – I’m for the movement – but not ditching the rest of Scottish Football.

I’m 50/50 on moving to England, however, the Atlantic League is so much more attractive than England. Whats to stop clubs from Holland, Portugal, Scandanavia, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland – and any others – from coming together and making a Premier European League?

• In terms of TV Revenue, it could bring in just as much as the EPL – We’re talking 6 or 7 countries so the market is there for this league.
• If we went to the English League – There is near enough no prospect of Youth Development in England. Countries like Holland, Sweden, Portugal etc are all very keen on developing their own talent.
• Whats more exciting – Rangers v Ajax or Rangers v Hamilton or Ajax v NEC?

For the other Scottish/Dutch/Portugese clubs – Set up a play-off system and give them a fair and honest chance in qualifying for the Atlantic League. The Champions from the SPL and all other leagues playing an end-of-season play-off in the same kind of format as the Championship?

That would require massive re-structuring in the countries that would be involved. Scottish Football, would need to change dramatically in my opinion – but without the Old Firm these clubs certainly aren’t dead. Hypothetically, this move happens – In my view, Scottish clubs would need to emphatically focus on Youth Development – possibly 8 players out of the 11 have to be under 25 or have to be Scottish etc. Also, the league has to be at a level which attracts people to come to games on a Saturday – ticket pricing has to be lowered to seriously affordable prices so more fans are spending value for money.

The way I look at it, with the introduction of an Atlantic League – Your basically adding an extra tier on to the league just with the obvious complications of other countries participating. It shouldn’t just be for the top clubs, but for the others aswell which would keep it competitive as there would be promotion and relegation