Both Celtic and Rangers have been lobbying to play in England for years.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers has claimed on Talksport that Celtic would be one of the top clubs in England if they moved down south but it is English clubs’ fear of their potential which makes a move unlikely.
The Scottish giants have lost just three of their previous 24 Champions League group games at Parkhead, and last night’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City has enforced Rodgers’ belief that the Glasgow club would be ‘a major threat’ to the Premier League.
The Northern Irishman, who nearly steered Liverpool to the title three seasons ago, stated that it is the fear of English clubs which is keeping the Hoops in Scotland.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Speaking with Talksport, he said “Make no bones about it. If Celtic are in England, Celtic are one of the top four/six clubs there. So you can imagine then the resources playing at that level, what that would produce for Celtic. It could go as far as it wants then. For Celtic to be in the English pyramid system is very tough because of the size of the club. We have the history, huge club, fan base, team, stadium, it would be a frightening prospect and an exciting prospect if it ever happened but for others looking through it would be very difficult to accept.
“If you are another club playing in that league or the Championship or League One, would you like that type of threat coming to possibly stop you coming into the league? I don’t think you would want it and that is the reality. So I think it is always going to be difficult to get that across.”
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele scores their first goal
Celtic are back in action this Saturday with an early 12.15 kick-off against Dundee. The Hoops have been in stellar form this season under Rodgers, with the slicing of bitter Glasgow rivals Rangers by a scoreline of 5-1 a particular highlight. With a four-point lead over Aberdeen and with a game in hand, the Hoops are 1/18 favourites to secure a sixth consecutive league title.
Last night’s result against Man City has elevated them into third place above Borussia Monchengladbach in their Champions League group, who they face in Germany in just over a month.
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring their third goal
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