Thank God Rangers Are Back Says Neil Doncaster

[JFK-1 1,693]

Lennon never changes the script does he, just looking at that record page. Hearts were given a lesson but Lennons crew learned nothing because they were robbed. Nobody ever beats them fairly and squarely. I would absolutely love to get them at Ibrox in the last 16 and give them a real going over.

[ian1964 10,779]

Peter Lawwell and Neil Doncaster have eight weeks to save Scottish teams involvement in the Champions League

 

06:00, 22 Jul 2016

Updated 08:08, 22 Jul 2016

By Keith Jackson

 

THE SPFL chief revealed on Wednesday that the secret details of a German led initiative to make the tournament invitation only will be made public.

 

PETER LAWWELL and Neil Doncaster have less than eight weeks left to save Scottish football’s involvement in the Champions League.

 

SPFL chief executive Doncaster revealed on Wednesday that the secret details of a German led initiative to transform UEFA’s elite event into an invitation only event for the biggest nations in Europe should become public before the end of the year.

 

But Record Sport has learned that the complete blue print for this full closed shop proposal will be unveiled for the first time at a UEFA congress in Athens on September 14.

 

And it’s anticipated the plan will be driven through by the big boys at that meeting before being sold off for hundreds of millions of pounds in an auction with the world’s richest broadcast corporations which will begin in December of this year.

 

It’s understood the proposals include a ‘wild card’ entry system which would be designed to safeguard the positions of a raft of the continent’s wealthiest clubs - even if they failed to secure Champions League football through their own domestic leagues.

 

But the introduction of such a safety net would, in turn, make qualification even less likely for Scotland’s champions.

 

All of which means Doncaster and Celtic chief executive Lawwell are now up against the clock as they attempt to lobby for continued Scottish involvement in the competition.

 

This urgent back channelling with many of Europe’s top clubs and league bodies has been ongoing ever since the proposed changes first surfaced towards the end of last season. But time is now running out for them to win the argument on Scotland’s behalf.

 

At present, each season a total of five clubs from smaller nations compete in the Champions League group stages, courtesy of the Champions Route which was introduced in 2009 by UEFA’s shamed former president Michel Platini.

 

But since then only four of those underdogs - including Celtic - have qualified from the group stages into the last 16.

 

Now the big five - Germany, Spain, France, Italy and England - believe this pathway should be restricted if not shut down completely.

 

A source close to the discussions confirmed: “These talks are crucial to the long term health and stature of the Scottish game. Right now there are five places out of 32 in the group stages, reserved for the champions of smaller nations.

 

“The lobbying that is currently going on is an attempt to keep the status quo or, at the very least, to limit the damage done. For example, if five places was suddenly to be reduced to one or two then overnight it would become almost impossible for Scottish clubs to access the Champions League in the future and that is the nightmare scenario.

 

“The wild card system is a huge concern as these wild cards would be handed out to, for example, Chelsea and Manchester United if it was introduced this season. And that means there would fewer places available through the Champions Route.

 

“The situation really is critical and the next two months of discussions and lobbying will be of massive importance to the game in this country.”

 

The Athens summit has been called primarily to deal with the election of Platini’s replacement but our sources have been told the Champions League II format will also be unveiled as part of a separate process.

 

The new look competition will begin at the start of the 2018/19 season.

 

Read more at http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/peter-lawwell-neil-doncaster-eight-8468652#ZzY9TzVFZijXKE7w.99

 

Thankfully we have Batman & Robin on board to save Scottish football.......................

[der Berliner 3,877]

...and on the other side, DARE YOU NOT, small nations, if you invent an Atlantic League where UEFA might not have their fingers in!!!

 

It is becoming ever more farcical and one sould probably hold talks with Sky to whip up a British League or Cup, where participators will most likely get more money than from Europe. That would sure help to strengthen the game (well, at least beyond England), while putting Sky in a nice light too.

[Davie P 4]

Direct result of the insane decision to demote Rangers! Had they not done so, Celtic would not have downsized and may even have qualified for the group stages every so often. The runner up in the league (either Celtic or Rangers most years) would at least have progressed in the Europa and improved the Scottish co-efficient. The Old Firm matches (irrespective of the dross of the remaining matches) would have ensured that Scottish football had a higher profile than it actually deserves and may then even had a direct invite into the big boys table.

 

As you sow, so shall you reap. (F*****g half-wits)