When I was a schoolboy, I made my way to Hampden Park with a couple of pals to watch Bayern Munich scrape past a very talented St Etienne team to win the European cup.There was no doubt that we were backing the a French side and it was not just because they wore green:they had also dumped Rangers out of Europe that season too. There seemed to be a lot of Celtic fans at that game, many sporting their club scarves as they backed the French side. ‘Allez les verts’ was the chant of the evening as we watched a very unlucky French side lose to the typically efficient Germans. As kids it was natural to back the team who had bested your greatest rivals and in those days the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers was every bit as fierce as it is today.
There was a good feeling around Glasgow this week after both the city’s major clubs got decent results in the Europa League. Celtic have progressed in their play and results so much that a 1-1 draw in Copenhagen was considered disappointing by some. In that first half Celtic could easily have scored two or three more goals and put the tie beyond the home site. meanwhile in Glasgow, Rangers came from two goals behind to beat a very talented Braga team. It remains to be seen how both teams get on in the second leg but I fancy Celtic to progress In front of their own fans in a weeks time. Rangers are in with a fighting chance when they go to Portugal but I saw enough of the Portuguese team to suggest that the Ibrox club will have a real job on their hands to qualify.
There was some debate among supporters of both clubs about whether they were happier if their greatest rivals lost or whether it was more important that the Scottish coefficient continues to rise thus making it possible for a second Scottish club to compete in the Champions League qualifiers in the next couple of years. For some, the idea of wishing their greatest rivals well in Europe is anathema. Regardless of what it does to the Scottish game’s coefficient some fans will never wish their rivals anything other than defeat. One online debate which I suspect may be typical of a good number of supporters of both clubs contained the following comments...
‘The coefficient mob never stop do they? I want Rangers to be buried again and humiliated at every turn.’
‘I want them pumped every time they step onto the field.’
‘Europa League or Ramsdens cup, I want them beat.’
A few clarion voices argued that a better coefficient for Scotland would mean fewer qualifying rounds for Celtic and up to 4 more weeks of rest before the games begin. You can be sure the board would make up for revenue lost from these early rounds by organising glamour friendliest or taking part in summer tournaments. Scotland has climbed the coefficient table to reach 14th spot which is a reasonable performance given that in 2013 they were 23rd. They now sit a fraction behind Denmark and should Celtic eliminate Copenhagen next week will rise to 13th place meaning that in the season after next the champions of Scotland will go directly into the last qualifying game for the Champions league and avoid three potentially tricky earlier rounds.
Of course after years of the hoops carrying the can alone in Europe, we now see both Celtic and Rangers garnering the coefficient points this season as Aberdeen and Kilmarnock once more posted disappointing results. Killie especially had a calamity losing to Welsh part timers after winning the away leg. Scottish football won’t be taken seriously if results like that continue but overall there is a sense that the game here is on the rise again after some desperate years in the wilderness. It does rely on its bigger clubs to try and restore the battered European reputation of the SPFL but that’s the case in most small countries.
There is a school of thought that with the historic league winning run Celtic are on some hoops fans would put Europe second as the mythical ‘Ten’ comes tantalisingly closer. Some want Rangers to stay in Europe in order to stretch their squad and divide their focus as this season’s title race nears its climax. Celtic has a bigger squad and could most likely deal with any injuries and suspensions more easily. For others the dislike is so strong that they want the Ibrox club to lose in every game they play regardless of the competition. It’s a complex picture in the tribal world of Scottish football and opinions will vary.
There is no doubt that Rangers appalling performances in the domestic game since the new club rose to join the SPFL couldn’t continue forever given the budget they have at their disposal. They may not be world beaters but they are an improved team under Gerrard and this has pushed Celtic to remarkable levels of consistency. Competition drives up standards and that has always been the case and is not to be feared. Is it just possible that Celtic’s improved displays in Europe this season are linked to being pushed harder domestically than was the case in recent times?
Celtic has a good squad and a robust, healthy club to back it up when necessary. The rise of Scotland in the UEFA coefficient table may make qualification for the a Champions League a little less stressful but of course it also means that Rangers too will get a crack at that tournament in a couple of years. The financial rewards of qualification are huge for Scottish clubs and this can surely only be good for the game here?
Domestically Celtic still look dominant and their young team is maturing well. The cream will always rise to the top and at the moment that cream is coloured green and white. Long may that continue.
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