Planet Soccer

No Offence to you John, but why are we talking about the scottish league when Italy just got screwed over by Blatter's poodle by the name of Michel Platini? Poland has a match-fixing scandal just like Italy yet the main reason Italy didn't get the Euro2012 is because of the scandal there.

I believe the unofficial reason for Italy not getting the euro championships is not the match fixing scandal (coincidently the 2nd round just getting under way), but the big problem with fan violence and security problems. And before you bemoan bias against Italy, remember england was banned from euro play back in the 80's for similar problems. No one is banning Italy in playing, just encouraging them to clean things. You can be sured that if they do, they should get the euro's the next time it is granted.

Italy will continue being snubbed by FIFA and UEFA. Where was Blatter when the world cup was presented to the winning team? He was there in 1994-1998-2002 but when Italy beat France, Mr.Blatter was missing in action.

I don't understand why what happened in Catania has to affect the bid for Italy. It's not as if Catania would be a host city for the Euro.
Once you take the same cities that hosted Italia 90 , all that had to be done would be to put a few of those stadiums up to date instead of building new ones , or make new roads or hotels.

Italy deserves to be thrown out of every competition known to man because of their racism, facist fan base, widespread cheating, and fan violence.

What's the solution then, John?

You're not saying anything new, all you have done is regurgitate a common opinion that has been spewed out several times in the last 5-10 years.

Sounds like you were on a deadline and needed something quick ;)

Oh dear oh dear John you are a bit bitter about something and I do hope you can come to terms with whatever it is. In the meantime why the gratuitous insults ? "Laughing stock... a joke..farcical" Srikes me as lazy journalism "What will I write about this week - I know I'll insult a league far away" If you want to know what people this side of the pond think is funny in relation to sport, it is the number of World Champions you guys have in the US in sports that nobody else plays. Just keep taking the tablets.

Hey ALF, you can say all you want. But in the end, it's just rumors, and you just have to stick to the facts:)

John,

Who really cares, it's old news, the SPL is insignificant?
The SFA won't do anything about it; the old Firms can do nothing about it; and as long as the other clubs rely on the old Firms, the tail continues to wag the dog. Such a sad sad state of affairs there.

As far as Champions league goes, its not really a champion's league is it, too many non champions in it.

Give me a super league:
Juventus, Roma, Lazio,Inter Milan, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Lyon, Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord.

Then you've got my interest.

John it's all negative!
You a "soccer" expert as well, if you have nothing positive to say why say anything at all?
With the possiblility this season of an all England Champions league final consider the results Celtic have had against opponents from the Premiership in the last few years?
Your argument falls flat on it's face!! Fact.

"Have a nice day"

Mr. Molinaro,

I pretty much have to ask: what's wrong with you? All of your articles try to be clever by tearing people down: Scottish football's second rate, Steve MacLaren's no good, Toronto FC fans are too excited, and all the other leagues can't keep up to La Liga...all this month.

Fine. You win. Most teams, coaches, and leagues aren't world class. Well done.

I could argue that the old firm would love to join the EPL but are being blocked from doing so. I could argue that Scottish teams have now made it to the last 16 in Europe for the past two years, which is pretty good for a small league.

I could argue that Celtic has beaten Liverpool, Barcelona, Man U, & Benfica and tied Bayern & AC Milan all in the past few years, but frankly you aren't interested in teams that consistently pack 60 000 fans in a stadium, delight their fans, and thrive in sub-par financial situations. To see the upside in things wouldn't appeal to your delight in showing us all how smart you are.

John, A bit harsh, for sure. Hey, SPL has 12 teams, two of which are dominant, and England has 20 teams in their PL...4 of which are dominant. The ratios are similar. The only issue here is how big clubs get bigger, in every league.

As for the quality of entertainment, I'll take the SPL for sure. The EPL pats itself on the back far too much. As for Europe, too much diving!

Fair point, it really is dull in the SPL and all Rangers and Celtic worry about is each other. I was at a Scottish Cup Final a few years back, Rangers v Hearts, and the Rangers fans just sang anti Celtic songs all day. Both fans are obsessed with each other. The solution is simple, get them to compete in the English premiership and without them the SPL would be far for interesting

i have been a football fan all my life. i have never read so negative from a so called expert.this is just not about winning it is about people entertainment on a sunday afternoon.you should be ashamed to call yourself a journalist i take it you watch all the scottish games on your television never attend them .this is a discrace to the people of scotland .who work very hard i must stress in football. english blindfolded telly armchair fan go and watch them live and then make your disgusting comments .

The Scottish league is a joke, because Rangers and Celtic take 90% of the money the league generates. They stifle competition and are supported by hundreds of thousands of "supporters" who have never been to a game in their lives. Scottish Football would be better off without these clubs but no other league would take them (England voted 100% not to allow them into the Premiership) as the religious undertones and bigoted beliefs that some fans have, make them a risk. Both Rangers and Celtic are cleaning up thier act, but they have alot of damage to repair. For the record Hearts finished second last season leaving Rangers in third place.

Spanish La Liga is a case in point to your proposition that only elite teams participate in Europe. Valencia was the last Primera Liga champions, Sevilla is right there with the top clubs nearing the last rounds, Villareal was eliminated by Arsenal last year in the CL. You're right, the Scottish league is not really watched globally. It may be exciting only to Scottish fans.

Go MAN U! Glory Glory

John

Stick to wrestling ... at least that way no one cares about your blinkered attitude and lack of knowledge on the subject. I doubt you have ever attended an Old Firm game and witnessed the most passionate sports fans in the world. Canadians writing about soccer ... whatever next?

So, what's your point caller?

I can't see anything here worth reading from a "so-called" journalist. Laugh?

Scathing criticisms of the Scots and the best that they can produce.
It's not Rangers or Celtic's fault that no other team can compete, is it? It's a competition. Play to win. It's not a share around to play fair.

You obviously don't know football and it's followers at all, so I suggest a trip back to the wrestling arenas for your future topics.

....or have they thrown you over the ropes on that scene too??

Hey Alf from that 80`s show. Last time I checked the english are the worst racist, are the only fans that go to champions league games who get into fights and end up in a hospital because there get to drunk. By the way Poland fans are not the cleaniest fans also, they are as racist or even worst, as I recall they had a black Ghana or Nigerien player in there national team and when he played they would throw bananas on the field, so please do not call Italian fans racist or violent because you will find them in every country or nation. Big Shows right Mr Blatter and Mr Platini snub Italy for no reason, maybe it is because Platini is still sad and angry that Italy beat France at the World cup fair and square. On a last note watch AC Milan show Man U what it is to be a real European Power house. AC Milan`s defense is no push over

Ciao.

John,

So your complaint is that the old firm are cash rich in Scotland but not cash rich in Europe?
Let's face it all titles are bought these days (I'm a Rangers & Leeds fan) teams with money win titles, I don't understand why people are so quick to hate Scotland when the English Premiership has been a bought title since day one. I think people are just bitter because it's one city.

If you are a football expert why do you find it so neccessary to compare the world game to games that anyone outside of North America doesn't care about?

"Scottish football is a joke" talk about stating the obvious there. Yes Rangers and Celtic haven't made a great impact on Europe but there is a huge difference between the SPL and the big 5 leagues and that difference is money to the point that the bottom club in the EPL makes more money in TV revenue than either Rangers or Celtic. This they can not compete with and that is where the major difference is. Look back a 5 years and look at Chelsea a team who were nothing better than average EPL side suddenly in comes all that money. You then go on to talk about their "scant european" haul. Man Utd 2 European cups, Barcelona the same and yet the little country of Scotland with less than a population of 5m and without the major money backing does have history in europe and not just Rangers or Celtic there is Aberdeen and Dundee Utd too who's achievements shouldn't be belittled.

I'm intrigued. Sir, you spout on quite vehemently about the 'lack of class' or substance in the SPL and yet you name the leagues of countries with much larger populations, huge sums of sponsorship and television funding, which of course attracts the better players. Makes sense to me, offer the good players more money and where will they go?
You shoot yourself in the foot by ranting about the SPL. For two underfunded teams from a backwater league, I think Celtic and Rangers have done very well to get where they have in Europe in recent years against the glitterati of Italy etc.
I think, perhaps, there's some jealousy showing here, either that or you're not the expert you pretend to be.

John, your really wearing out your self-annointed title pretty thin on this one.

Anyone who truly understands the Scottish Premier League knows that the division is steeped in its own heritage and quite happily bent on preserving it. Sure, the SPL has its glaring limitations as compared to its English and continental rivals, but what does one expect from a small nation of barely over 5 million souls and virtually no soccer-market infrastructure beyond the city limits of Glasgow? England and Italy have near 60 million each as nations with numerous huge metropolitan centres supporting dozens of teams in total. And yet, even with their enormous money domestic leagues, only a select number of teams have won titles in those leagues in the 22 years aforementioned. What does that tell you? Bear in mind, Dundee, Aberdeen and Hearts have made it very interesting on occassion.

Geez, even tiny Portugal and its 11 million can only claim to have one more title seeker than the already established two. Not to good considering the ratio game.

Given the number of notable commentators, managers and select players that got their start in the former Scottish First Division, I would say that Scottish futeball has done quite well despite its puny size. Besides, how many other 5 million-person nations (...with established leagues like the SPL mind you) do you also know of that have two Champions Cup(1 win)finals to their credit? Not to shabby considering.

Fortunately for the CBC, the almighty Derek Rae couldn't care to bother reading this blog.

Thank God for the public tax funded CBC, or you wouldn't have a job. Why don't you write something about the SPL that might be creative and give us some positive insight on how to improve the SPL. The EPL has 4 dominant teams, that's what happens when you have so many small market teams competing against the large markets.

All leagues now and days are a joke. It seems that the people who run the league want different results then what the game will produce. Then they use referees to change the results. Examples: Manchester United vs Middlesbourgh, Chelsea vs Sheffiled United, and Arsenal vs Tottenhamm.

Is any of this the fault of the Old Firm?

Perhaps our North American friend can expand on who actually watches the major sports on his continent, apart from themselves? How many non- American teams have won the "World series" in baseball? How many people can actually watch more than 2 minutes of basketball without a massive sense of deja vu? Grid iron? Real men are more likely to play Rugby League. As for the Stanley cup - a game where the crowd only get interested when the players stop playing the actual game and batter the sh*t out of each other.

When anyone from North America can point at any football league in the world and criticise it as "boring" compared with the pish they watch, I think it will be a cold day in hell!!!!

Once again the CBC's soccer expert displays his soccer illiteracy for all to see. Pretty much every single league in Europe is dominated by 2-3-4 teams. Yes, it's obvious that smaller league champions can't compete on a regular basis with the dozen or so superteams, however many smaller nation's teams do on occassion make it to the semi's or even the finals of European tournaments.

Many of these smaller leagues are also much more exciting to watch, a derby b/t local rivals in many smaller leagues is far more exciting, and the fans much more into the game than derbys in the EPL or la liga where the fans have been forced into passive submission by the powers that be.

As for the NHL, there may have been 11 different winners in the past 20 years, however most of the fans are DOA requiring the league to use the message boards to encourage cheering, I doubt any European fans require that kind of prodding.

As a final note, what exactly makes you a soccer expert. What are your credentials...you strike me as simply an observer of the game who spouts his uninformed and biased opinions.

The fact that Nakamura plays in the Scottish league is proof of it's class. And let's face it - if it weren't for referees perpetually favouring Milan as they did in the round of 16 this year, it would be Celtic and not Milan who would be preparing to play Man United in the semi-finals this evening.

John Molinaro is a joke
Go Bhoys GO

Hey Niko, get a clue. Last time I checked all games in Italia are played behind a 50 foot fence to protect players from crazy fans throwing stuff. Second, banners routinely make Nazi references, and finally fans have to be separated for fear of rioting. Now I will agree that some english fans have a drinking issue, but racism has not been a problem in the EPL for at least 10 years plus and fences are not needed. In Italia you are taking your life in your hands going to a game, not so in England. England faced this crisis in the 80's and cleaned up their game so that it is now the most profitable and powerful league in the world. Italia now has to do the same. Think with your head and don't let your emotions rule your head. Perspective please!

So why is anyne surprised at the negative press for anything other than American football, Now American NHL or Baseball by north American newsmen? they ignore what they are ignorant of lest their weaknesses by seen by the public. Whether Scotland is a "minor" leaugue or Italy, England, Spain, Portugal, France or Germany major league soccer is something so new to north American sportcasters they really cannot be relied to have a knowledgeable opimion. If the north American Soccer league is a success with the public tired of the excesse of other sports will remain to be seen- previous attempts in Canada and Usa were not too successful so all we got to read were the analysis of the poor success. For the reporters the fact the world prefers soccer (which is known as football out of north America) has been ignored- it does not sell papers or TV commercials in north America so it has been left for those influenced by immigrant's imagination and sport knowledge. once the economic significance hits the media they will wake up and then, as in other sports in north America, few will be able to afford the admission price. maybe soccer should be left for the sand-lot types to enjoy!

It's not just the Scottish league, the whole so-called sport is joke. Together everybody, let's all fall down like school children and actlike we'll never walk again. Soccer will alway be just a kids game.

Scotland's population is 5 million. It is a small country.

Both Celtic and Rangers have big budgets, international players. Queen of the South will never be in their league but no too many people in Scotland are losing sleep over this fact.

A real solution would be to create leagues not on an a national level but to create regional or pan-European leagues but UEFA and FIFA seem uninterested in the unbalanced nature of doemstic leagues.
When the Old Firm looked south to the EPL they were rebuffed. An superleague of Northern teams called "The Atlantic League" has been declared a non-starter by governing bodies.
Then I look stateside to the most comparable thing the re-alignment of American collegiate sports and their new super conferences and I don't think its made college football any better.

Is this news? I think not. Is it worth discussing? Absolutely not, this is so old...

As for the comments from Sones, well, I think you must have a chip on your shoulder about something...

ahhh... the standard insults hurled by the stereotypical characters... let me paraphrase "Whatever sport I don't watch must be awful", "Whatever league I watch the most is the best"(duhh, obviously, it is a personal opinion) I feel immense sadness for having read the original article... and almost all the comments that followed. Only 2 comments didn't make me feel ashamed of humanity.

Niko, if the last time that you checked the English "are the worst racist, are the only fans that go to champions league games who get into fights", then I would respectfully suggest that you haven't checked in nearly three decades.

English football did have a problem in the 70's and early 80's with football violence and I am ashamed to say Racism. Without trying to minimise the problems, it was more a case of young men acting extremely irresponsibly by arranging violence as some sort of gladiatorial pursuit.

The problems in Italy in 2007, whilst similar in many ways, are also very different in others. Racism is still rife, along with fascism and an "Ultra" mentality.

Parts of some stadiums are no-go areas and policing is light years behind that of England and Germany. Missiles being thrown are also common place.

Italy has a dark history and culture of corruption. The events of last year were just another example. It has lead to an attitude that anything can be covered up which is why the Italian FA are still deluding themselves.

English football was embarrassed in to change back then but I can honestly say that in my lifetime we have often suffered derision from continental Europe because of our readiness to expose, publicise and deal with difficulties, in all areas of life.

Most of continental Europe continues on its path of concealment and foolishly avoiding shame and embarrassment at all costs.

I am proud to live in 2007, as an Englishman and in the most tolerent country in the World.

John,
I respect your soccer knowledge but I believe that in this atricle you have belittled one of the original soccer powerhouse nations. The NHL had the leafs and the habs,when they winning cups by the buckets did anybody care about the rest? Yet the league has been around for quite sometime. I believe that there are historical reasons why the SPL is the way it is and whatever those reasons are they should be respected and not attacked.
As a fan of Juve you should abide by the spirit of fair play and make amends for this brutal article by issuing some sort of apology to Scottish soccer fans.

hey everyone,

perhaps we all need to see the 'big' picture.
if we look at europe as one market, which is roughly the size of the north american market,
and we equate the ucl to the nhl, nfl, nba
etc., we begin to see that the ucl truly is a varied and exciting representation of the best of the best in european soccer. look at the winners and participants of the past 10 ucl competitions (a great mix). all national leagues (epl, serie a, la liga etc.)
are like 'divisions' in north american sports. and surely we all agree that leagues like the nhl are spread way too thin as far as talent goes... are you all tuning in to what i'm saying?

As a Canadian soccer fan, I've had to live most of my life in hopes that someday North America would see the light and learn to appreciate the beautiful game. I supported Toronto soccer teams (The Metros, Metros-Croatia, Toronto Blizzard, INEX, etc.....) and have some fond memories of excellent soccer being played at Varsity Stadium, CNE Stadium, etc. What really hooked me for life for this sport, was going to Glasgow in 1982 and seeing the Scottish FA Cup Final between Rangers and Aberdeen (which the Dons won in extra-time)....and the following week attending Scotland VS. England. There is nothing in all of North American sports that compares to the "Hampden Roar." And as some of the writers earlier stated, Sir Alex Ferguson's team from Aberdeen was something to behold.....Man United execs took note and grabbed him when they could. And look at who is managing Celtic and Scotland now? Two of those Aberdeen players. Rangers played against Ascoli a few years earlier at Varsity Stadium in one of the most exciting games I have ever attended and I learned at that time that Scottish Football could compete with the best the world has. Mr Molinaro? Have you ever attended the Robbie Soccer Tournament in Toronto? I saw some amazing young Scottish lads dominate that tournament over the years (including the great Pat Nevin of Chelsea fame). For a country the size of Scotland to be able to compete with the power houses of Europe that are owned by mega-multinational corporations, Spanish royal families, etc., it is a miracle.

Mr Molinaro:

I just wanted to add a couple of additional points to my earlier comment. One day before I die, I hope to attend an Old Firm match. Just ask the non-Scottish players over the years that have played in Old Firm matches....Mr Gatuso for example....who still say there is nothing that compares to it. NOTHING!!!!! Scottish Football doesn't have to take a back seat to any league or commentator. I only hope that Canada one day can make the kind of impact on the international soccer/football stage that Scotland does on a regular basis. And one last point about Scotland....for such a small and weak footballing nation as you seem to see it Mr. Molinaro, they may end up knocking off either France or Italy in the Euro Championship qualification round. Last time I looked, both of those teams met in the last World Cup Final. I guess your right Mr. Molinaro....Scotland can't cut it! NOT!!!!!

Probably a lot of truth here, so what do you suggest will fix it?

Tom Armstrong, try reading the page header before posting, sweetie - the CBC is CANADA's national broadcaster. If you're going to throw around national insults, at least insult the right country.

As for Mr. Molinaro's column - okay, SPL sucks and Celtic and Rangers win too many titles. So? What I don't see are any suggestions for improving play in the SPL. Criticism is only worth reading insofar as it's constructive. Poor show, Mr. Molinaro, poor show.

If I recall correctly didn't Milan have a hard time with Celtic in the Champions League this year. I don't think Mr. Molinaro understands that Rangers and Celtic are competitive teams on the European stage.

Niko, Damian , Keith & Alf...

I not defending the Italian FA which is rotten to the core as we all know , And I won't comment on the style or quality of football in Italy because that is a matter of opinion , But I find it laughable when I hear comments from English or other football fans calling Italian football fans racist and troublesome because of a few fascist looking banners in the stands ( which are common at ALL and I mean ALL games ) in continental Europe. The fans of Benfica in Portugal use Giant US confederation flag !!! does that mean there are rednecks in Lisbon ! or maybey Benfica fans are just Dukes of hazzard Sympathizers !!!

Why is it when Continental European football
fans travel are no incidents and when UK fans travel there are inevitably incidents... when Tottenham fans traveled to Braga (Portugal)for a UEFA CUP game a few months ago they dragged a man out of his car and beat him into a coma and smashed his car , when Portugal eliminated England Riot police had to be called all over London`s Portuguese neighborhoods because or riots and of rocks being thrown into Portuguese cafe`s where children were watching games with their parents...

Wayne Rooney getting a red card in the world cup for kicking the player in the nuts was Ronaldo's fault , not Rooney's because Ronaldo went and talk to the referee ( as if he has tha kind of power )... It`s that kind of mentality that plagues English football

UK football fans have to stop being so condescending and narcissistic towards towards the rest of the world's football community and remember that might doesn't always make right !

PS: I must give credit where credit is due the Premiereship has made colossal efforts and is an exemplary Football League and it`s deplorable what is happening in Serie A

As a sports fan I enjoyed the article on the dominance of the SPL by Celtic and Rangers. The implication that this neither benefits Scot football nor it's fans is probably a reasonable conclusion. In reading the responses to the article I was overwhelmed by some of the vitriol directed at the author (it seems apparent that he was deliberately attempting to manifest this type of response) and somewhat surprised that many of these emotional responses (he wasn't insulting your family, was he?) lack high school English equivalency. This may provide an indicator of the type of fan support the league is trying to create and nurture. Perhaps it's time to make changes to the system in an effort to stimulate both competition and a larger fan base. The bigger the demographics, the more money advertisers and mediums will pay. Parity also draws larger viewing audiences. It's time that the hardcore fan or SPL patriot recognized that directed change can only help both the league and the nation achieve larger objectives, such as becoming a national power or keeping it's best players in country. The writer's conclusions bear closer scrutiny. Claiming other leagues' have similar problems or insulting the author because of his opinions' only validates his position. Otherwise, of the numerous responses to his article, I think I would have read at least one rational discourse as to the inaccuracy of the writer's statements/opinions. Signed My grandfather was from Glasgow...

Also, the SPL would benefit with an increase to a 16 team league. It would make the schedule shorter, leading to increased intensity for each match and more fans would come to see their team actually being able to play for something, as opposed to now where the best a club can do is finish 3rd. Scottish football has many problems, but they can be fixed in time, if they made conscious effort to improve. Personally, I started following the SPL a couple years ago, and I originally supported Celtic because when they played, it actually looked like a team worthy to be called Premier. However, last season when Hearts looked like challenging for the title, and with a sold out stadium every week, the SPL turned in to a "real" league, leading me to switch the team i followed to Hearts. However, this collapsed and now the league is as boring as ever. In order to fix this, the SFA, SPL, Old Firm, and other clubs must change their attitudes.

there are no flukey victories against Manchester United or Liverpool you sir are just lookin to be sensationalist like a well known cock in glasgow called McNee. MON THE HOOPS

Rob, Exactly what did you disagree with what I wrote? I would disagree with one thing you wrote. Please give me one specific act of racism in a EPL ground in the last 5 years. Rob, they do not tolerate it. Why do you think Eto wants to come to the EPL next year?

Keith,

What i'm saying is YES the security and behavior of fans in the EPL is immaculate. 50 pounds (110.00 CDN) average cost per game and superb identification of potential troublemakers might have something to do with keeping the riff raff out...I`ve already pointed that out in my comment.

My point is UK football fans always use that argument ''look at what a great job we've done in the EPL ! '' , and they always forget to consider the legions of instigators that travel across Europe , the very same hooligans they've banned from their own stadiums now travels across Europe starting fights in the local pubs and instigating riots with the local home fans...

And then they point the finger and say shame on you ! Is it a case of the pot calling the kettle black ! Maybey they should not sell tickets for European compititions to away supporters form certain teams... Ahhhh but that would be unfair right !!!

All I'm saying is that it is much more complex than that ...

The league Scotts Prime, is no different from the other top leagues in football, as you point out, only rarely does any team crack the top dogs domination. Celtic is not to be brushed aside this go around, Naki is as good as they come and lucky wins are always the kind that leave a bad taste in the loosers mouth, MU homer. Maybe a nice Carling would quench that brine in your maw from spewing such dust. You show your age without having the tamerity to enjoy and celebrate the shining historical moment, it being the fortieth year since the lion roared Celtic. Quality teams have quality wins MU took a kick in the teeth, enjoy the champions league I know I will.

First of all, how can you leave out Chelsea from your list of top/rich clubs in England?? It's just about the richest sportsteam in the world...

Secondly, this article brings no news. The big european teams earns a lot of money and as a consequence they keep their position on the top. Is that such a surprise?

And also, clubs from the not-so-big european countries (ex. scotland or norway for that matter) have a tough time competing with the big ones (like England, Italy, Germany and Spain). My God, it's a good thing your great journalist-work came to my attention, 'cause in no way could I sort this mystery myself.

ok lets get something into perspective...
Yes the old firm are the dominant force in the spl, and always have been, however in hindsight they havent been in europe.
Aberdeen have been the dominant side in europe for scotland and have fared better than celtic and rangers, and are the only team to have won 2, yes 2 European titles. outranking both rangers and celtics achievements. have rangers or celtic won the super cup??? i think not but aberdeen have.
Also how on earth can you compare the EPL to the SPL? They are 2 different leagues! I mean attractive football and possesion are vital in the EPL, but not the SPL, they are more about how much balls of steel you have to go and win the game, you have to be brave to play in the SPL, very competitive, and yes the old firm will win every year but who cares! I dont, im a huge Aberdeen FC fan, and im proud of my team this season for almost finishing third, we gave rangers a run for their money this year. If you havent already noticed there has been a change in the SPL the past 2 years, more teams are becoming stronger and Rangers are becoming weaker, trust me in a few years time im sure because of this trend a team outwith the old firm will win the SPL, i aint sure who, but my bets are on Aberdeen, Hibernian or Hearts Of Midlothian.
Also the SPL is not a joke! it is the 13th most popular league in the world! how many leagues is there? i rest my case, becuase there are hundreds! and the reason it is 13th is because of the 12 before it are mainly money grabbing leagues bleeding their poorer clubs dry.

The SPL may not be the greatest league in the world, but have we ever claimed it to be? The league is modest yes...but that doesn't mean theres no entertainment. There is a history to our league, the Old firm derbys are fueled with more than 120 years of passion. The Edinburgh derby again a game with more passion than a derby such as manchester could ever claim to have. Where theres lack of technical ability we make up for it in heart and effort. So how about you put your work into more important matters.

hello,

i am a very big Aberdeen fan, and it simply looks like you do not know anything about football in scotland. do you have any idea how richer these clubs are? Celtic and Rangers are bigger clubs than the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool obviously not Manchester United.and i can guarantee now that you will laugh at that, but it is true. Rangers could could buy over almost the whole scottish league they are that powerfull. the topic in Rangers and Celtic moving to England to play thrills me, not because it will give aberdeen a fighting chance to win the SPL, but to show that football CAN be played in Scotland. celtic and rangers have the potential for a top 5 finish the Premiership, easy. i am not meaning any disrespect but i do not agree with this article.

what an insightful article...yawn! Derby just got promotion to the EPL and a £60 million windfall as a result, never mind the cash that as been injected into the EPl from the new TV contract. Imagine Celtic and Rangers getting £60 million to splash out on players. Either team would go much further than the last 16...yes the last 16 of the Champions League, not a bad result at all for a so called small nation. Then imagie Celtic and Rangers in the EPL. It won't happen because the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea and other top seven clubs know they woud have too much to lose. Rangers and Celtic are two of the biggest clubs in the world and if they were to play in the EPl they would both be top 5 teams easy. They sell out every game, have passionate fans and their travelling support is immense, more than can be said of at least 15 of the 20 teams in the EPL.
The author of the article is entirely naive, suggesting that it is a scant achievement to win two european trophies between us, when in fact in the context of all the clubs that enter or have entered the European competitions over the years that is an admirable and remarkable achievement that only adds to the long history of both these clubs.
Of course I have not discussed the acievements of Aberdeen and Dundee United, which the author of the article belittled and overshadowed, but again this shows his true lack of knowledge and understanding of the game outwith the EPL, Serie A and La Liga. A ten year old could comment and follow these leagues and offer similar insights to those on his blog...yawn. And what about Derby?

What was the score at parkhead when ac milan came calling O-O do not besmirch Scottish football they are not supported by millionaires like italian teams.You know very little about football as portrayed by your columns.AC milan were lucky to beat Celtic in the second game.Did you see Gattuso playing injured to waste time? also your captain would not get off the field at the end faking an injury.[the ball hit his arm] desperate time wasting an old italian trick.

We in europe are lucky enough to have a large number of nations that can compete in truly amazing international sporting events. In south america there are also a good enough number of nations to hold more great INTERNATIONAL sporting events. It is ashame for u that north america has only 2 huge countrys and the rest that make it impossible for ur country to hold international sport events. It is a joke that canadians even compare soccer ha and hockey when one is the biggest sport worldwide and the latter is canadas way of being better at sport than america because it comes third after baseball and basketball.

Seeing as the USA and canada pretty much make up north america its funny u call the spl a joke because if canada ever had decent baseball or basketball teams they might compete more in those sports. the fact is hockey is behind baseball and basketball so ur entire sport is pretty much non existent outside youre country. only a half dozen or so nations have held the ueropean cup more than ours which is quite unbeleivable. We dont need to have one of the top four football leagues in europe to be happy with our league. football is a sport rich with enthusiasm and passion unlike hockey haha. Saying that we cudnt have celtic or rangers play in england its not fair on the other teams. What if man u arsenal liverpool and chelsea defected it wud be a disaster for the epl and a super league would only take more money away from the less fortunate clubs and make the rich get richer.

Remember, this guy is writing for Canadians, who like Americans often don't have a clue, the difference is that the boors (unlike in the U.S.) are relegated to where they belong, which is in the bin.

I have been living here in the U.S. for 14 years now and I don't plan to go back to South America, yet I still love my football (soccer to the white and black North American idiots). Yes, I know Primera División Peruana is also a joke and they suck compared to Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and Primera División Argentina, but at least they can claim they never have enough money...

celtic have one of the biggest supports in world football rangers also have a massive support and celtic have lost once at home in the champions league since it began and made the uefa cup final in 2003 narrowly losing to the side who won the champions league the next season fc porto and the side sitting eigth just drew with bayern munich so you can call it a joke league if you like but is also rated better than 40 legus in europe and has a prouder tradition than most and dont forget celtic beat ac milan shacktar and benfica at home this season and man utd benfica and copenhagen last season so you may be disinterested but you wont beat any team in scotland easily away but you havent looked at the actual pace of the games or even the quality of for instance nakamuras free kick you talked about we may not be a top league but we do have a small population and no money coming in and i assure you much bigger countries have much worse leagues republic of ireland have never had arepresentative even qualify for a tournament even when they have a much bigger population so why dont you mock a league like the MLS where you dont have a proper league structure your best players are semi retired and you will not see acrowd like 60 000 at celtic park or 50 000 at ibrox and we have a side playing 3 divisions below the top (queens park) with a 52 000 all seater stadium (hampden park) in scottish division three so dont mock a league with more respect and bigger clubs than 90 percent of world football in a fifa list of the worlds best leagues

What an idiot you really are. Why state the obvious, no one was saying tht the SPL is an amazing league. Why pick scotland out of the full of europe? I kno fine well there are loads more countrys whos leagues are lower than Scotlands. So what if the SPL aint great no one says it was in the 1st place. With the lack of money in the SPL i think celtic and rangers do well in europe. Because celtic and rangers are in the champions league every year is this why u seemed to have picked scotland out and not a country with a worse league such as iceland or something?