SPL teams in Setanta cup???

**pete** · 03/04/2007, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by gufcfan

Are you sure you dont need some urself 15,000 odd posts!
I know some guys...

I'll still with the spanish cold medicine for now. (Chemists in Barcelona will sell you anything...) No idea whats in it but sure it keeps me happy...

**dcfcsteve** · 03/04/2007, 5:27 PM

Suggestions that Rangers or Celtic would play in the Sertanta Cup with Irish clubs are pure laughable.

The money alone wouldn't be enough to attract them during their own seasons. And if they wanted money to play Irish teams, sure they'd just pitch up for a couple of friendlies in the Summer when they have no other games to worry about.

A serious reality check is required here, or this thread may as well be binned. Like I said - sure why not invite Man U and Barcelona and make the prize money �10m.......

**eirebhoy** · 03/04/2007, 10:41 PM

The only way this could include Scotland (and Celtic, Rangers) is if it was to replace the league cups.

It would mean that most of the Irish, Scottish and Northern Ireland teams won't play in a league cup. Would that be a big problem? They don't have a league cup in Italy but the Coppa Italia is two legged in every round, including the final.

Setanta would have to splash out to buy the rights for the 3 cups and television rights, which I suppose would only be a significant amount in Scotland.

The maximum amount of games would have to be 5 or 6 per team to avoid fixture congestions.

Teams would have to fly over from Scotland to Ireland and vice versa. Would this be impossibe?

Setanta are already involved in the 3 leagues. It's probably a big pipe dream though.

**kdjaC** · 03/04/2007, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

The only way this could include Scotland (and Celtic, Rangers) is if it was to replace the league cups.

It would mean that most of the Irish, Scottish and Northern Ireland teams won't play in a league cup. Would that be a big problem? They don't have a league cup in Italy but the Coppa Italia is two legged in every round, including the final.

Setanta would have to splash out to buy the rights for the 3 cups and television rights, which I suppose would only be a significant amount in Scotland.

The maximum amount of games would have to be 5 or 6 per team to avoid fixture congestions.

Teams would have to fly over from Scotland to Ireland and vice versa. Would this be impossibe?

Setanta are already involved in the 3 leagues. It's probably a big pipe dream though.

Eirebhoy in sensible post shocker!!!!

kdjac

**eirebhoy** · 03/04/2007, 10:48 PM

Feck off.

To be honest I think this could easily involve Celtic and Rangers if we were all on the one island. If they could make it possible to be back at their clubs by the end of the night there's a possibility.

/edit - At the start of last season Celtic played in Japan 3 days before a game against Hearts. After the Hearts match they then played down in London against Chelsea and back up to play St Mirren 3 days later. If there's a bit of money in it for them they won't say no.

**endabob1** · 10/04/2007, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by Big Ears

winning 3-0 at 'home'(Tranmere Rovers ground) but lost the game 3-5 , lost the second leg 2-0 at Ibrox . So 7-3 to Rangers on aggregate .

Apart from the result I was thinking along the lines of why it was moved to Prenton Park in the first place.......

**dcfcsteve** · 10/04/2007, 5:36 PM

Originally Posted by endabob1

Apart from the result I was thinking along the lines of why it was moved to Prenton Park in the first place.......

Expectation of trouble, and a suspicion that Tolka wouldn't be able to adequately manage segregated supporters.

**Maynard** · 10/04/2007, 6:04 PM

Personally I think it'd be a good idea to try and lure the 3rd/4th place Scottish team, and failing that some of the respectable Welsh sides. Obviously the money would have to be upped, and obvioulsy having Celtic and Rangers would never be a runner (for the sake of competitiveness if nothing else)

But if the FAI could push on the promotion of the competition in this country and stablise its future, then I think incorporating other (ahem) Celtic leagues would IMO capture the imagination of more punters than its current format.

**galwayhoop** · 10/04/2007, 10:06 PM

if the money was there the old firm would join. currently the SPL winners (i.e. celtic or rangers) get less than �2m from TV money. now if they knew they could get €1m or so from playing 7 or 8 games, (plus gate receipts including, hopefully from their point of view, another full house against old firm rivals and boosting their profiles north and south) then they would jump at it. probably playing second team players in the group stages and then roll out the big guns for the semi's and final.

like eirebhoy said above celtic took on crazy friendlies in japan and england at the start of last season in between league fixtures - the reason was pure and simply financial.