Don't Get Excited - They're Not Leaving Us Any Time Soon

IT IS said in journalism circles – columnists are either advocates or analysts. I do not entirely agree, the good column calls for a bit of both, the trick is in getting the balance correct.

I tend to spend my time advocating changes to Scottish football, but, try to analyse the possible effects of the measures I am advocating. Sadly, with the need to get stuff written and attract “clickbait” to the relevant newspaper websites, today's newspaper journalists are denied the time, and often the space to properly analyse the measures they are advocating. Thus, we see the same old shite being regurgitated.

Today, a wee story which we have seen before was given its annual dust-down and posting. It seems the Old Firm are, again, about to up sticks and depart Scotland for the richer pastures of the English League.

OK, never say never, but, I don't see this happening any time soon. I know the English Premiership is so-rich, and has so-many placemen sitting round the Football Association's corridors of power, they, could, in theory, do as they liked and invite the Bigot Brothers to join the party tomorrow. However, they have had their hands on the reins of English power for quite a long time now, and have never yet ushered them in. Why change now.

And, make no mistake – unless they are guaranteed straight entry into the Premiership, the Old Firm will stay put.

The latest suggestion is, that since the Football League – the body which administers the 72 clubs in the three divisions – Championship, League One and League Two – below the Premiership are suggesting they go to five, 20-club divisions, which would mean the admission of seven new clubs, then the: “Come and join us” call is about to be made to Celtic Park and Ibrox.

Aside from the legal challenge which would follow from the top clubs at the top of the non-league Conference, can you honestly see Celtic swapping home and away fixtures with Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach – plus whoever they get if they clinch third place in their Champions League group and drop into the Europa League (I will not insult your intelligence by suggesting they could reach the knock-out stages of the CL this season) – for exciting trips to Accrington, Carlisle, Crewe, Grimsby and Stevenage. No, me neither.

There are only two ways whereby the Old Firm will be allowed to leave Scottish football – if FIFA decides, since the four nations are from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, then there can only be one team, representing the UK – and there is no indication that FIFA would do this to four nations, who are members of the International Football Associations Board, or, if the European Clubs Association, a body of which the Old Firm are members, decides th break away from UEFA and form their own super league, or if UEFA promotes such a league.

That is their more-likely exit route, but, that will not happen for a wee while yet. So, it seems, we are stuck with them for now.

NICE one Son, that's all I can say to young Oliver Burke, on his transfer to the Bundeslegia. I hope the boy matures from this chance.