Twigg: Irish sides on par with Scots

http://www.setanta.com//uk/Articles/...es/gnid-53531/


Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Player of the Month Gary Twigg says there is little to choose between The League of Ireland Premier Division and The Scottish Premier League.

Glasgow-born Twigg earned the April award for some impressive displays with Shamrock Rovers – and brought that form into May with two late goals to see off champions Bohemians 2-1 last time out. The former Brechin player has seen first-hand what there is to offer in Scotland and thinks the top teams in Ireland would more than hold their own against the majority of the sides there.

“I have a lot of better players around me here,” Twigg was quoted as saying by The Irish Mirror.

“Bohs are a good side, Derry and Cork too. [They are] sides that could play in Scotland no problem.

“I played against some SPL teams at the start of the season and to be honest there wasn’t much in it.”

Rovers moved to within two points of Dublin foes Bohs with their win at home to Pat Fenlon’s men, while they remain five points behind Cork City, who now lead the top flight. With a big win behind them, Twigg now hopes The Hoops can continue to live with the best.

“If we keep doing what we’re doing, hopefully we can start climbing the league a bit more and start challenging the top three.

Without a doubt, the gap is closing between the leagues. I feel the top teams in Ireland would be challenging a top 4 place in Scotland.

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Originally Posted by TheBoss

Without a doubt, the gap is closing between the leagues. I feel the top teams in Ireland would be challenging a top 4 place in Scotland.

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Yes, top 4 in Scotland or League Two in England ;)

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Originally Posted by TheBoss

Without a doubt, the gap is closing between the leagues. I feel the top teams in Ireland would be challenging a top 4 place in Scotland.

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I would like to beleive that but i beleive they would only be fighting for the top 6 split. Bar the top 3 in the league of Ireland premier the rest of the clubs would prob be around Scottish league 1st division-bottom of SPL standard

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Originally Posted by citybone

I would like to beleive that but i beleive they would only be fighting for the top 6 split. Bar the top 3 in the league of Ireland premier the rest of the clubs would prob be around Scottish league 1st division-bottom of SPL standard

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Yeah I probably agree with that. Bohs, Cork, Derry and at a stretch Rovers would be SPL standard. The rest would be 1st Divsion. Saying that, I reckon Bohs, Derry or Cork could aim at top 4 in the SPL.

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Originally Posted by seand

Yes, top 4 in Scotland or League Two in England ;)

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Kinda true.

The top four in the Premier would do well to survive in the SPL in my mind.

Maybe if we are to have the Setanta Cup, would including the top two in the scottish 1st to make things more interesting?

I've always thought the Setanta should ultimately hope to expand into a "Celtic Cup", with teams from the Republic, the North, Scotland, and Wales (And maybe an Isle of Man select XI :D).

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Originally Posted by peadar1987

I've always thought the Setanta should ultimately hope to expand into a "Celtic Cup", with teams from the Republic, the North, Scotland, and Wales (And maybe an Isle of Man select XI :D).

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That would certainly help the progress of the competition, this system of playing a for a few months and then a 5 month break and again play for another 2 months. They think that would enhance it, but the addition of Welsh and Scottish would give it a bit more flavour.

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Originally Posted by peadar1987

I've always thought the Setanta should ultimately hope to expand into a "Celtic Cup", with teams from the Republic, the North, Scotland, and Wales (And maybe an Isle of Man select XI :D).

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I guess your only messing about Isle of man, i woulnt mind 1 welsh club (champions) replace the 4th irish league club and see how they get on over a few years. I dont know about Scottish clubs, the logistics are not great.

Man tells everyone new workplace is at least as good as old job...

In fairness, as leading scorer he's hardly going to say it's a pub league.

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Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

In fairness, as leading scorer

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:mad:

http://soccer-stats.irishtimes.com/?...tr=Comp_Scorer

TOP SCORERS 2009
Jason Byrne 11
Gary Twigg 9
Mark Farren 5
Thomas Stewart 5
Chris Turner 5
Rafael Cretaro 4
Ciaran Martyn 4
Pádraig Amond 3
Dessie Baker 3
Denis Behan 3

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Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Man tells everyone new workplace is at least as good as old job...

In fairness, as leading scorer he's hardly going to say it's a pub league.

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So cynical. Twigg says we are great so that must be so!

Twigg has 10

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Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Man tells everyone new workplace is at least as good as old job...

In fairness, as leading scorer he's hardly going to say it's a pub league.

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Considering his old workplace was the Scottish Second Division, I'm not sure how qualified he is to comment on the SPL either.

When did he last face an SPL team in a competitive fixture ?

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Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

Considering his old workplace was the Scottish Second Division, I'm not sure how qualified he is to comment on the SPL either.

When did he last face an SPL team in a competitive fixture ?

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yeah, i was thinking that; whatever he says, that a striker who never got to the SPL despite ample opportunity but sets league alight here, would suggest that this is an easier league.

There is no doubt our top 4 of Cork, Bohs, Derry, and maybe Rovers this year would be comfortable playing SPL sides, but this would only be on par with likes of Kilmarnock + M`well, I would say they would struggle v likes of top 6 teams like Aberdeen, Dun Utd, Hearts and Hibs, fitness for one would be a massive gap. Scot Div 1 crowds are somewhat similar to our Prem, maybe we get a lot more highs, but overall avg`s would not be far off, so maybe this would be our standard, then again is there much diff to bottom 6 in Spl and Scot First Div ?

There is not too much of a difference between the bottom of the SPL and First Division. Many players transfer between them during the season, and they do not spend money and bring players in on frees.

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Originally Posted by oriel

There is no doubt our top 4 of Cork, Bohs, Derry, and maybe Rovers this year would be comfortable playing SPL sides, but this would only be on par with likes of Kilmarnock + M`well, I would say they would struggle v likes of top 6 teams like Aberdeen, Dun Utd, Hearts and Hibs, fitness for one would be a massive gap. Scot Div 1 crowds are somewhat similar to our Prem, maybe we get a lot more highs, but overall avg`s would not be far off, so maybe this would be our standard, then again is there much diff to bottom 6 in Spl and Scot First Div ?

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It's hard to argue with anything as there is very little basis, but I will argue on the fitness point. I don't think we would struggle for fitness, why should we? Full time -v- full time?

im not so sure how our sides would do week in week out in the SPL. in fairness there light years ahead in regards facilities, full time attitude etc. look at the grounds around our league, there kips. apart from turners cross and tallaght which are decent. plus we'd prob get slaughtered at ibrox and parkhead.

I think Europe is a good indication - I mean how far do Scottish teams bar Celt-Rangers do? Not that great in reality, in fact i would think Irish teams have been doing better recently?