Prem to become 2 divisions of 18 inc Celtic & Rangers?

[Craig_H]

You're right, Celtic and Rangers are both ****e at the moment, but if this went ahead I would expect them both to be promoted and pushing the top 6 within 10 years..maybe less.

Don't you think replacing a game against West Brom, Middlesbrough or Portsmouth with a game against Celtic or Rangers would be a good thing?

Not really, no. Last time i checked, it's the English Premier League.

[Craig_H]

Awful idea, just keep things as they are. Why are the British FA and/or Premier League always coming up with some stupid money grabbing plans Don't see it in Spain for instance.

Anyways, I can't see it either because I think the trend will be more or less towards clubs negotiating individual TV rights in the future with games broadcast over the net in an increasing capacity so the bottom clubs will still lose out in the end.

If that happens, it will kill English football.

[Neil Young]

Why do people insist on coming up with ridiculous American-style ideas to "improve" football FFS? We'll be gettting stoopid animal-style team names next.

Liverpool Dalmatians.

[ukfootballfan101]

Awful idea, just keep things as they are. Why are the British FA and/or Premier League always coming up with some stupid money grabbing plans Don't see it in Spain for instance.

Anyways, I can't see it either because I think the trend will be more or less towards clubs negotiating individual TV rights in the future with games broadcast over the net in an increasing capacity so the bottom clubs will still lose out in the end.

That will never happen, the only reason the prem is in such a strong position is because of the sky tv deals, the past 15 years of strong domestic competition have allow the big 4 to dominate europe.

Italy are moving back to a collective system as they've realised it makes the league weaker. If Italy don't do something soon they could lose a champions league spot to germany in 2 or 3 seasons time.

[TheStig]

There's an argument for reducing the number of teams in the PL by a couple. Let's propose that and see how Bolton feel.

[TheStig]

I've no interest in playing Celtic or Rangers. None whatsoever.

[carheex]

**** idea which has been talked about many times. and if it were to happen, the scottish lot would only deserve to be in the bottom tier of the "premiership".

[Exiled_red]

What a load of nonsense, firstly I hate international football so more England money spinning friendlies are of no interest to me whatsoever, especially if it means watching less Liverpool games to accomodate it. Secondly I have no interest in playing Celtic or Rangers twice a season and I don't particularly want all the secterian issues they bring with them (something the league will be responsible for, and another stick UEFA could use to hit us with).

This is essentially another way of trying to generate more interest in the Championship and address the vast differences between the revenue of Premiership and Championship clubs (which is fair enough). It won't work because the top league will always generate more interest than the 2nd league whatever the setup.

Obviously the teams than will benefit are the teams that yo-yo between the Premiership and the Championship, the teams who get relegated will have the blow cushioned but all the clubs in the top league will have less revenue so won't be in favour of it, and reducing the league from 20 to 18 teams will make the mid table teams worry that a bad season could see them relegated.

I see problems implementing this as to put Celtic and Rangers in the top league would mean relegating 4 teams to the second tier and promoting no-one from the Championship on switch over. Also there are currently 42 teams in the premiership and championship if you include Celtic and Rangers that's 44, reducing them to 36 means there are 8 teams to go somewhere else, the whole of league football would need restructuring.

[DannyMan2006]

Dunno about you, but as a Liverpool supporter, i love footie and the more, the better. Dont want a winter break, going to the footie around Christmas and New Year is the best time of the season.

As for 'increased competition' from Rangers & Celtic

They're both utter turd.

In the days when Rangers could attract the likes of Brian Laudrup and Gazza, there might've been increased competition but nowadays both clubs are bobbins.

They'd be fantastic within ten years. With their fanbase around the world they'd soon be up there competing. Reason they are ****e at the moment is due to a failure to attract top players. Reasons for that is a lack of money and because top players do not wish to play in a poor league. A move to the prem would change both of those problems.

I don't want them either mind.

[The_weatherman]

That will never happen, the only reason the prem is in such a strong position is because of the sky tv deals, the past 15 years of strong domestic competition have allow the big 4 to dominate europe.

Italy are moving back to a collective system as they've realised it makes the league weaker. If Italy don't do something soon they could lose a champions league spot to germany in 2 or 3 seasons time.

Never say never, I agree that it's not the optimal solution but I wouldn't rule it out. They do it in Spain, and their league is quite decent. Italy has gone backwards due to number of things, not just this, racism, corruption for example.

[red g]

They'd be fantastic within ten years. With their fanbase around the world they'd soon be up there competing. Reason they are ****e at the moment is due to a failure to attract top players. Reasons for that is a lack of money and because top players do not wish to play in a poor league. A move to the prem would change both of those problems.

I don't want them either mind.

tis true.....how much can there stadia hold? pretty sure both clubs would be up there going for a top 6 place in premiership within a few seasons.

[Roboklopp]

Why is it the Prem's responsibility to prop up the old firm & bolton-types? FFS.

[JohnDoe]

No no no no.

I don't want those cunts in the Premier League. Two small time clubs with self-important fans who think someone gives a **** about their clubs, and their religious/racist nonsense.

Leave them out to rot in their little league up north. I want nothing to do with them.

[Shaggy]

To be fair Celtic, IMO anyway, are a great club with largely fantastic fans. They have been amazing in their support for the Justice campaign and the respect they always pay the 96 is something to behold.

[dww]

Such a crap idea. I wish that UEFA or FIFA would come out and say that if it happened we would have to have a united UK football team and then the idea would be left alone.