Old Firm clash could be staged in Dubai

[ian1964 10,761]

CELTIC and Rangers have been holding secret talks over the possibility of staging the next Old Firm game abroad.

 

The Glasgow giants are considering taking the derby to somewhere such as Dubai in a bid to reduce the chance of crowd trouble after the unacceptable behaviour at last Monday night’s Glasgow Cup Final at Parkhead and incidents at the corresponding youth team fixture last season when it was staged at Partick Thistle’s Firhill.

 

The most recent debacle saw more than 100 seats wrecked and smoke bombs, flares and bangers set off, with the result that it has already been decreed that the next Glasgow Cup Final between the teams will be held behind closed doors.

 

But there will be huge logistical difficulties in moving a senior Old Firm clash – not least getting appropriate approval from the football authorities – even if it is an idea that is being seriously mooted at the highest level.

 

The Glasgow giants are considering taking the derby to somewhere such as Dubai

 

Officials at Parkhead and Ibrox, aghast at the levels of violence at those youth games, are well aware the senior match is – and always has been – a powderkeg.

 

Many so-called Gers fans still blame Celtic, at least in part, for their demotion to the lowest tier of senior Scottish football following the Ibrox club’s financial meltdown.

 

The next Old Firm game in the top flight is still another year or so away, at least, with Rangers having to clamber through a very competitive Championship following successful Third Division and League One campaigns, but Scottish Cup or League Cup clashes before then remain a possibility.

 

It has been suggested by officials that taking the match out of Scotland when it finally comes around could help diffuse tensions.

 

But there is an enormous amount of work still to be done before the embryonic plan becomes a done deal.

 

No one can plan too much without knowing when the game will take place, the SFA and SPFL would have to give permission, the clubs would need to agree, and a host venue would have to be found.

 

If the game went to Dubai or another venue outside Britain and tickets were strictly vetted, it’s hoped the tie would pass off peacefully, although many will insist that such a move would merely postpone potential problems until the next time they meet in Glasgow.

 

From the clubs’ point of view, they’d be able to sell the TV rights for the first Old Firm derby for years for a vast fee and would look at cashing in further with a beam-back to Parkhead and Ibrox.

 

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/473767/EXCLUSIVE-Old-Firm-clash-could-be-staged-in-Dubai?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-sport-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Sport+Feed%29

[the gunslinger 3,366]

Load of shite

[bluebear54 0]

The talks weren't all that secret if the Express knows everything.

By the way, WTF is a "so-called Gers fan?"

I can just see the scenes now. Amsterdam/Manchester meets Dubai.

However if it happens, we can't do this forever. We're just putting off the inevitable Armageddon.

[Zappa 0]

Can't see it myself. Football isn't particularly popular in places like UAE, Qatar etc. They're pumping serious money into the sport over there to try to get people interested in it, but even with good quality players brought in from all over the world hardly any folk turn up to watch the games, so it's really just a wee hobby for rich Arabs that enables them to burn their spare billions.

 

A better idea would be for Rangers & Celtic to buy racehorses and race them against one another in Dubai. That would get the Arabs interested in the brands before subjecting them to the football.

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

I doubt they would have any interest in this.

 

I also don't want to play them again with Ally in charge.

[der Berliner 3,803]

The only sensible thing they can do is ban away supporters - for the time being. As for the youth games, you would expect the authorities as well as the police being aware of what was in store. Make it an u15 and plus 50 and family event and if there are still idiots wrecking the occasion, throw them out and ban them.

[Zappa 0]

Make it an u15 and plus 50 and family event and if there are still idiots wrecking the occasion, throw them out and ban them.

 

Under 10 and over 60 only might work!

[bluebear54 0]

In a moment of being totally out of character, dB's hit the nail on the head.

The only way to hold the games is to ban away fans.

Both us and CP would still get get full houses. The bill for Police Scotland would presumably be a lot less because of the reduced risk.

Happy all round - except Police Scotland.

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

What exactly is the problem. The old firm rivalry is about the only good thing left in the Scottish game. The atmosphere should be toxic.

[RANGERRAB 3,731]

What exactly is the problem. The old firm rivalry is about the only good thing left in the Scottish game. The atmosphere should be toxic.

 

It certainly will be toxic......and the rest.

After being accused of cheating thro' EBT's, trying to strip titles, voting us out the SPL and generally trying to put us out of business altogether I genuinely dread to think what the next game against them will be like. I'd be amazed if any other country would be daft enough to stage it