Atlantic League splits Old Firm fans

Old Firm fans’ representatives are split with regards the concept of the Atlantic League.

Recent speculation again linked Celtic and Rangers with a move to England but that has been usurped in recent days by the re-emergence of an idea first mooted over a decade ago.

The notion that the Glasgow giants could compete against clubs from Holland, Belgium, Portugal and Scandinavia returned to the agenda after the president of the Dutch Football Association, Michael van Praag, revealed he plans to lobby UEFA on the issue.

While Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell appears cool on the idea, his Ibrox counterpart Martin Bain claimed Van Praag’s revelation was of “great interest”.

David Edgar, spokesman for the Rangers Supporters Trust, is bemused that the Atlantic League is being discussed without anyone consulting the Ibrox supporters and believes the idea is driven simply by a desperate desire for more money.

“No one at Ibrox has spoken to the RST or the Rangers Assembly about the idea of an Atlantic League,” Edgar told Press Association Sport.

“I haven’t met any other Rangers fan who wants to play in a league like that.

“There is no interest in it but the club don’t see that because they are so distant from the fans.

“Clubs are desperately searching for income streams but this half-baked idea makes it look like they don’t know what they are doing.

“Clubs don’t want to face up to it. Like in the housing sector, they thought the good days were going to last forever.

“But the clubs have ridden the horse to death, shot it, ate it and now they have nothing left.”

Edgar continued: “Has anyone enquired in to the viability of an Atlantic League?

“Does it run in conjunction with the SPL? Is there a route in to the Champions League for the winners?

“Everyone seems to be talking to each other about it but no one is speaking to the supporters who will be expected to pay for it.

“We are expected to turn up regardless but you would think that the crowds at the Celtic versus Rapid Vienna game and the Rangers versus Sevilla game just weeks ago would have dispelled that notion.

“I can see the attraction of moving to the English Premier League but from my own point of view, is Rangers versus Anderlecht more attractive than Rangers versus Aberdeen?”

Peter Rafferty, secretary of the Association of Celtic Supporters’ Clubs, will keep an open mind on the subject.

“We have regular meetings with the club but not in relation to the Atlantic League,” he told Press Association Sport.

“It is different and it would be a bit more glamorous than what we are seeing in the SPL.

“There is a bit of apathy from the fans who feel they are not getting value for money, who are seeing teams come to Celtic Park simply to defend.

“However, it would be difficult for supporters who would want to travel away every fortnight.

“There are no cheap trips abroad these days.

“But I think it is worth exploring. I wouldn’t be negative but we still see more of an advantage in playing in England.”