With Celtic now top of the table and playing well enough that few can see us losing our way, there are suddenly a rash of stories about how next season’s Group Stage Champions League spot isn’t really “automatic” after all and that there is a chance that it won’t happen.
Of course, none of this is new.
What is new is the sudden focus on the various scenarios where it could happen. And you know what? The chance of the title winners not going straight into the Groups is virtually nil.
None of the scenarios – Juventus, Manchester United or Atletico Madrid winning the tournament without qualifying for the Groups via their domestic leagues – are likely. All are wildly fantastical.
The media is pushing this because of who the favourites are to make it now … this point was raised as a bit of a joke when Ibrox was on top.
Now it’s to be taken seriously?
But all of a sudden we should be staying up nights worrying.
I don’t think I will.
The possibility of this is so remote that there’s a better chance of Ibrox posting profits year on year. The winner of the SPFL title will be in the Groups, I would bet on that, if there was a bookmaker anywhere who would risk their money by offering odds.
You notice too that the money has started to go down?
It’s going down faster than the estimated number of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border is going up.
Remember when it was £60 million? At a four point Ibrox lead it was £50 million. When that lead shrunk to a point it was £40 million. Now we’re top I’m reading that it’s £30 million.
The closer we get to the end of the campaign, the lower that number will go.
In the meantime, they are trying to push this nonsense about the place not being guaranteed.
It is tiresome at times.
Barry Ferguson writes an article saying the 60 million the new club was to get from this years CL qualification and next seasons would make a massive difference the new club and actually put them ahead of Celtic fianancially . The record haven’t seen him since. Maribor dumped their arse out and now we are top. The money had gone up 10 million when they were to get it ??? the red tops were full of this crap and now it’s backfired tge banter years are back.
You mean wee Bawwy the Accountant lol! That wee Fuds that Thick he canny spell eez ane name BAWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Winning it this year would be beyond belief,I just hope we can do it we have the ability on the field, we may just need a little rub of the green.It would without doubt usher in liquidation 2
The Treble will KILL THE FILTH.. AGANE LOL!!
At the rate inflation is rising, it’ll be worth about half an Alfredo Morelos come August.
‘Bearing’ in mind where we where this time last year, we shouldn’t be even getting a sniff of the title this season!
Hope Ange is on a massive bonus for winning the SPL?
Had to laugh at Robertson’s quote that RIFC will ‘probably’ be in profit this year.
Aye, right! 🙂
Their nerves must be jangled.
In fairness, this scenario was fairly well publicised at the beginning of the season too, as well as its unlikelihood, and makes no difference to which team wins the league now as it did not then. Writing about it either in a mainstream media outlet or in a fan blog site doesn’t change anything. There is and always has been a slim chance that this season’s SPFL Premiership champion will not go straight into the group stage of next season’s Champions League. Whether someone (journalist or not) wants that champion to be Celtic, Rangers or anyone else (for that matter) does not change that.
Whether we have to qualify or not, all that matters is making sure it isn’t the huns in that position come May.
You can actually smell the fear wafting off them. Come on The Hoops.
This year is enormous for them. We win the league and we ride on to a completely different level. Meanwhile they would just limp and struggle from one hurdle to another. Please, please make it happen Ange.