Is top league fitba pointless?

[Glory Lurker]

Will anyone challenge Celtc ever again?

For the rest of us, is fitba success just about getting a wee nibble at Europe?

[HibsIntl]

Bayerns dominance, as a top. 5 league, says it all. The financially backed teams will win most leagues until they are weak and the rest will have the scraps.

For the rest of us, enjoy the day out, the beers, catching up with friends and thats it.

[McSwanky]

Bayerns dominance, as a top. 5 league, says it all. The financially backed teams will win most leagues until they are weak and the rest will have the scraps.

For the rest of us, enjoy the day out, the beers, catching up with friends and thats it.And laughing at Hearts.

Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

[ancient hibee]

Will anyone challenge Celtc ever again?

For the rest of us, is fitba success just about getting a wee nibble at Europe?

It’s been that way for a long time. Still if we get our act together there’s always the chance in the cups. Be very interesting to see how Aberdeen get on.

[SteveHFC]

Will anyone challenge Celtc ever again?

For the rest of us, is fitba success just about getting a wee nibble at Europe?

I’m 31 and I don’t think I’ll see a non old firm team win the league in my lifetime.

[Haymaker]

I’m 31 and I don’t think I’ll see a non old firm team win the league in my lifetime.We won't mate. We will barely see The Rangers win the league from now on.

Football, and not just in Scotland, has become just about the biggest revenues. Celtc have more than everyone by a long way. The league is a pointless exercise for them.

There's a reason PP paid out on the first weekend. I've never met a poor bookie.

Sent from my SM-A426U1 using Tapatalk

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

I will never see Hibs win the League or for that matter, finish second. I'll still buy my season and try to get to as many away games as I can though.

[Frazerbob]

We've known for couple of decades that nobody out with the Old Firm will win the league. I fear we're now at the stage where nobody will win a cup either whilst the league is now a one horse race.

[Donegal Hibby]

We've known for couple of decades that nobody out with the Old Firm will win the league. I fear we're now at the stage where nobody will win a cup either whilst the league is now a one horse race.

That’s happening all over the world in different leagues now , like when was the last time a Everton, Spurs won a FA cup ? …


I remember growing up when a Wimbledon , Coventry and Everton could win the FA Cup , Motherwell v Dundee Utd in the Scottish Cup final was one of the classic cup finals of all time ..

https://youtu.be/yWgw4ycnMig

https://youtu.be/Paks-qbF-x8

Sadly money has totally destroyed football and the days of different teams winning stuff and the excitement of it is becoming a thing of the past .

[Yorkshire HFC]

Will anyone challenge Celtc ever again?

For the rest of us, is fitba success just about getting a wee nibble at Europe?

I refuse to believe that only the OF can win the league. What about Leicester? What about St Johnston winning both cups? Radacanu? Paul Lawrie? The impossible happens in sport all the time.

Aberdeen have won every game this season - what happens if they keep that up?

Aberdeen and Dundee United did it in the 80s because they had owners and managers who had long term vision - they actually had time to build something. It is obviously very hard and needs a lot of luck but I just don't understand why that is not possible to replicate now. Or to at least try. But who are the next Fergusons and McLeans?

Celtic will have a bad season at some point - someone just has to be in a position to take advantage of it.

If only the favourite can ever win they why is anyone going to watch Hibs at Ibrox today?

[SickBoy32]

Football, and not just in Scotland, has become just about the biggest revenues.

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Correct, it’s a really sad state of affairs.

Money has totally ruined the beautiful game and turned it into an artificial horror show.

I have virtually zero interest in football now outside of Hibs and World Cups, as it’s all just pretty false for me - mercenaries going through the motions (this applies at ER, almost as much as in English grounds too).

Better off watching classic football on YouTube than tuning into the latest guff on sky sports.

Hopefully it all goes tits up one day and we can get a proper reset, it’s a simple game which has been overrun by greedy corporates and greedy players.

[lyonhibs]

I refuse to believe that only the OF can win the league. What about Leicester? What about St Johnston winning both cups? Radacanu? Paul Lawrie? The impossible happens in sport all the time.

Aberdeen have won every game this season - what happens if they keep that up?

Aberdeen and Dundee United did it in the 80s because they had owners and managers who had long term vision - they actually had time to build something. It is obviously very hard and needs a lot of luck but I just don't understand why that is not possible to replicate now. Or to at least try. But who are the next Fergusons and McLeans?

Celtic will have a bad season at some point - someone just has to be in a position to take advantage of it.

If only the favourite can ever win they why is anyone going to watch Hibs at Ibrox today?

There's a difference between a one off game and a 38 game season though. No non OF team will win the league in the next 50 years, unless someone else gets Saudified.

[One Day]

Correct, it’s a really sad state of affairs.

Money has totally ruined the beautiful game and turned it into an artificial horror show.

I have virtually zero interest in football now outside of Hibs and World Cups, as it’s all just pretty false for me - mercenaries going through the motions (this applies at ER, almost as much as in English grounds too).

Better off watching classic football on YouTube than tuning into the latest guff on sky sports.

Hopefully it all goes tits up one day and we can get a proper reset, it’s a simple game which has been overrun by greedy corporates and greedy players.

That kinda how I feel. Dont understand this love in with English football.

[MWHIBBIES]

That kinda how I feel. Dont understand this love in with English football.

It's an excellent league with many brilliant games and some of the best players. Not difficult to understand really.

[The Spaceman]

The gap Celtic have now will start to really choke Sevco as it has the rest of us for a long time. The difference with Sevco is it is (again) over-leveraged to the hilt trying to keep up - if they go bust yet again, that should be it/no re-admittance allowed. That could in turn collapse Celtic as they absolutely need each other. Wishful thinking I know.

[Pretty Boy]

Celtic have won trebles in 5 of the last 8 seasons. They have won the league in 12 of the last 13 seasons, the League Cup in 7 of the last 10 seasons and the Scottish Cup in 6 of the last 8 seasons.

Even by historical standards that is complete domination. Overall Celtic have won 42.5% of league titles, recently it's 92%, 27.6% v 70% for the LC and 30% v 75% for the SC.

They are doing it in a sustainable way as well. There are no foundations built on sand with an inevitable collapse on the way as was the case with Rangers. They trade players well, they have a solid infrastructure, they have serious cash at bank. Another team winning the Scottish Premiership would be a far bigger achievement than Leicester winning the EPL. It's not going to happen though and anyone thinking it is, without a huge external force becoming involved (and a change in UEFA rules) is living in a fools paradise.

Finishing 3rd, maybe even 2nd if Rangers have a bad year, is what we are all playing for. I'd go as far as to say that team are an almost unofficial champions. Celtic are in a different league altogether and will be for years to come.

[GreenCastle]

Been saying for years can’t see another non old firm team win the league - just not over the 38 games.

Cups can still possibly have shocks but even the Celtic v Falkirk fame showed how quickly things can turn once better players on the pitch.

A season ticket is basically for 3rd maximum - any euro tickets and cup tickets are separate costs but obviously get priority.

I think the best thing Scottish football could do is expand the league and play each other x2 a season - I reckon grounds would sell out more often and would avoid playing some same teams 4/5/6 times a season with cup games.

English league has plenty boring games but still some fantastic top level games but I would still rather watch Ayr v Killie or the Dundee Derby if it was on tv.

Sadly we have muppets running the game and Celtic are so far ahead of everyone it’s damage limitation.

The biggest game of the season for Hibs is Hearts at home - I look forward to Aberdeen home more than playing old firm games.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Finishing 3rd, maybe even 2nd if Rangers have a bad year, is what we are all playing for. I'd go as far as to say that team are an almost unofficial champions. Celtic are in a differently league altogether and will be for years to come.

Yup, it's all rather depressingly obvious.

[Septimus]

Scotland could take the lead here by insisting that all league teams have at least six (say) players born within ten miles of their ground. This would invigorate local teams by forcing money into the local system. The grass roots of the game in Scotland are dead. I played amateur, juvenile and junior football in my youth and all three of the teams for which I played are now defunct. It would also perhaps break the stranglehold of the two ugly sisters who destroy the chance of a provincial team winning anything by creaming off all the talent. Think of the days when the Scottish team contained Haddock and Ring (Clyde), Telfer (Dunfermline or was it Raith?) etc etc. Probably the EU would not like this suggestion but to hell with them.

[Onceinawhile]

That’s happening all over the world in different leagues now , like when was the last time a Everton, Spurs won a FA cup ? …


I remember growing up when a Wimbledon , Coventry and Everton could win the FA Cup , Motherwell v Dundee Utd in the Scottish Cup final was one of the classic cup finals of all time ..

https://youtu.be/yWgw4ycnMig

https://youtu.be/Paks-qbF-x8

Sadly money has totally destroyed football and the days of different teams winning stuff and the excitement of it is becoming a thing of the past .

Less than 10 years since two clubs in the Scottish championship contested the Scottish cup final.

[flash]

Just watched Sportscene from last night and there were some cracking games, great goals and loads of controversy.

Surely the main thing is to be entertained on a Saturday?

[Docker]

Been saying for years can’t see another non old firm team win the league - just not over the 38 games.

Cups can still possibly have shocks but even the Celtic v Falkirk fame showed how quickly things can turn once better players on the pitch.

A season ticket is basically for 3rd maximum - any euro tickets and cup tickets are separate costs but obviously get priority.

I think the best thing Scottish football could do is expand the league and play each other x2 a season - I reckon grounds would sell out more often and would avoid playing some same teams 4/5/6 times a season with cup games.

English league has plenty boring games but still some fantastic top level games but I would still rather watch Ayr v Killie or the Dundee Derby if it was on tv.

Sadly we have muppets running the game and Celtic are so far ahead of everyone it’s damage limitation.

The biggest game of the season for Hibs is Hearts at home - I look forward to Aberdeen home more than playing old firm games.

Expanding the league would help in my opinion. Right now, Aberdeen are unbeaten but still have to take care of Celtic four times to stay in the League race. Play each other twice makes it a bit more like “the cups” where you have a chance one-off. Right now you have to get the better of Celtic over 4 games……and then win most of the other ones!

[O'Rourke3]

Less than 10 years since two clubs in the Scottish championship contested the Scottish cup final.And one of them was only 3 years old!

Sent from my SM-A556B using Tapatalk

[GreenCastle]

Expanding the league would help in my opinion. Right now, Aberdeen are unbeaten but still have to take care of Celtic four times to stay in the League race. Play each other twice makes it a bit more like “the cups” where you have a chance one-off. Right now you have to get the better of Celtic over 4 games……and then win most of the other ones!

Yup - a draw away and a home win against a Celtic would possibly narrow the gap.

I think it would make league more exciting as teams know a draw away isn’t always a good result.

Regarding home grown players - Celtic win 6-0 yesterday and how many youth players were involved ?!!

The best young player in the league is at Motherwell.

[Septimus]

Yup - a draw away and a home win against a Celtic would possibly narrow the gap.

I think it would make league more exciting as teams know a draw away isn’t always a good result.

Regarding home grown players - Celtic win 6-0 yesterday and how many youth players were involved ?!!

The best young player in the league is at Motherwell.

And how long will he be there?

[Donegal Hibby]

Less than 10 years since two clubs in the Scottish championship contested the Scottish cup final.

Something that’s going to become a thing of the past though, look at the big 3 outside the OF . We are the last of them to win a major trophy and that’s now 8 years ago , Aberdeen are 11 and hertz about 13 I think… hertz last won the league cup in 1962/63 seasons.. that’s a horrendous record to have for a club there size .

[Eyrie]

Expanding the league would help in my opinion. Right now, Aberdeen are unbeaten but still have to take care of Celtic four times to stay in the League race. Play each other twice makes it a bit more like “the cups” where you have a chance one-off. Right now you have to get the better of Celtic over 4 games……and then win most of the other ones!

Disagree strongly.

Aberdeen are far more likely to drop points to teams below them than Celtic are so they have a better chance of winning the league by playing Celtc four times because, if Aberdeen are good enough, they'll take more points from Celtc than they'll drop.

Meanwhile for other teams crowds will drop dramatically from January as it becomes clear who the also rans in the league are and who will be chasing a European spot. And who wants to watch Hibs playing a Championship side in preference to another home derby?

If you want to give more teams a chance of winning the league then the top six should have a playoff similar to the URC or NFL. Round one is 3rd vs 6th and 4th vs 5th with 1st and 2nd getting a bye, round two is 1st at home to the lowest surviving seed and 2nd at home to the other team and the winners in round two play a final for the title. But that gets away from the principle that the league title is for the best team over the course of the season and takes it closer to the cup principle of who plays better in a one off game.

[He's here!]

I refuse to believe that only the OF can win the league. What about Leicester? What about St Johnston winning both cups? Radacanu? Paul Lawrie? The impossible happens in sport all the time.

Aberdeen have won every game this season - what happens if they keep that up?

Aberdeen and Dundee United did it in the 80s because they had owners and managers who had long term vision - they actually had time to build something. It is obviously very hard and needs a lot of luck but I just don't understand why that is not possible to replicate now. Or to at least try. But who are the next Fergusons and McLeans?

Celtic will have a bad season at some point - someone just has to be in a position to take advantage of it.

If only the favourite can ever win they why is anyone going to watch Hibs at Ibrox today?

Celtic and Rangers were operating in an only slightly higher band of transfer budget/salary band back then. It all changed in 86 with the Souness revolution at Ibrox and, a few years later, the McCann takeover at Celtic. That snuffed out the chances of another Ferguson/McLean era.

The only reason other clubs still have a chance in the cups is because Celtic don't take them as seriously as the league due to the fact they don't grant Champions League access.

[Lago]

That kinda how I feel. Dont understand this love in with English football.
Don't love it, but certainly enjoy it because for all it's faults there is competition between 4 or maybe 5 teams.

[Yorkshire HFC]

Celtic and Rangers were operating in an only slightly higher band of transfer budget/salary band back then. It all changed in 86 with the Souness revolution at Ibrox and, a few years later, the McCann takeover at Celtic. That snuffed out the chances of another Ferguson/McLean era.

The only reason other clubs still have a chance in the cups is because Celtic don't take them as seriously as the league due to the fact they don't grant Champions League access.

Things can change quickly though - Rodgers won't be there for ever - then, who knows, they might go through a Macari, Barnes, Dalgleish era - then it will be up to the others to take advantage of that.

The opportunity was there during covid and when there was only Celtic in the top league - but Hibs were unfortunately not able to do anything. Hibs need to be better,

[Alfred E Newman]

They are certainly miles ahead of everyone else including Rangers and unfortunately we are not even able to compete with the best of the rest.

[Itsnoteasy]

Will anyone challenge Celtc ever again?

For the rest of us, is fitba success just about getting a wee nibble at Europe?

Is that not the same for every league in Europe. Normally 2 teams dominate every league & once in 20 years a rogue team win it. This has been a discussion for years on .net

[WestCoastHibby]

The championship is much more interesting but we have to try to be best of the also rans.
I don’t see the point of European qualification if it makes you struggle in the league though

[Glory Lurker]

Is that not the same for every league in Europe. Normally 2 teams dominate every league & once in 20 years a rogue team win it. This has been a discussion for years on .net

It's that I don't think it's even a two horse race anymore.

[7Hero]

I refuse to believe that only the OF can win the league. What about Leicester? What about St Johnston winning both cups? Radacanu? Paul Lawrie? The impossible happens in sport all the time.

Aberdeen have won every game this season - what happens if they keep that up?

Aberdeen and Dundee United did it in the 80s because they had owners and managers who had long term vision - they actually had time to build something. It is obviously very hard and needs a lot of luck but I just don't understand why that is not possible to replicate now. Or to at least try. But who are the next Fergusons and McLeans?

Celtic will have a bad season at some point - someone just has to be in a position to take advantage of it.

If only the favourite can ever win they why is anyone going to watch Hibs at Ibrox today?

You can't compare this with a tennis and golf player , crazy comparison to make.

[danhibees1875]

It was relatively close last year was it not? Rangers will challenge, generally.

As for the rest of us, there might be a 1 off season where it happens.

[JohnM1875]

It was relatively close last year was it not? Rangers will challenge, generally.

As for the rest of us, there might be a 1 off season where it happens.

Surely the Huns go tits up again if they keep trying to chase Celtic?

Close last season but Celtic look a different animal this season. Just so much better than the rest of the league. Gimps.

[LaMotta]

Expanding the league would help in my opinion. Right now, Aberdeen are unbeaten but still have to take care of Celtic four times to stay in the League race. Play each other twice makes it a bit more like “the cups” where you have a chance one-off. Right now you have to get the better of Celtic over 4 games……and then win most of the other ones!

Read this argument before, but when we last had a bigger league - which ended in 1974/75, Celtic had just won 9 titles in a row:dunno:

[Yorkshire HFC]

You can't compare this with a tennis and golf player , crazy comparison to make.

I'm just saying that miracles do happen in sport.

Radacanu winning the US Open was no more likely to happen than Hibs winning the league.

[Gatecrasher]

It's that I don't think it's even a two horse race anymore.

it's not, Celtic have won 12 of the last 13. It's become a one team league.

[He's here!]

I'm just saying that miracles do happen in sport.

Radacanu winning the US Open was no more likely to happen than Hibs winning the league.

Radacanu winning the US Open was stunning, a major shock, but not a miracle. Women's tennis has been hugely unpredictable for a number of years now and there have been eight successive different winners of Wimbledon as well as nine different winners in the last 10 US Opens. Radacanu made some bad coaching choices after that win and has been consistently afflicted by injuries since that win (I actually think she might prove not to be physcially able to continue playing), but on the rare occasions she's been fit and on song you can see she has the game to compete at the top.

Hibs haven't had a team good enough to mount a sustained challenge for the league for half a century (we've only managed seven third-place finishes since 1978!). Even in the 80s when Aberdeen and United were flying high (and Hearts came within minutes of winning the title) we were miles off it. The only occasions since the Tornadoes era I've thought we might have a sniff of a chance of putting up a challenge to the OF was when McLeish had the Sauzee/Latapy team firing on all cylinders while I also think if Mowbray had stayed and been able to keep developing that young team we might have made things interesting.

[NAE NOOKIE]

Don't know why we even bother discussing this any more to be honest. The only difference is that instead of having two clubs it is impossible to challenge we now have one. Watching Celtic v an admittedly poor St Johnstone last night was like watching one of those Harlem Globetrotters v a load of mugs basketball games from back in the day, the gulf in quality was jaw droppingly vast and at times you could see Celtic's players practically joking around with each other as if they were on the training pitch.

For years now we have had a league within a league and saying the others have to try harder or do better is simply a nonsensically redundant statement .... This summer Celtic spent over 30 million Euros on 6 players and it barely made a dent in their balance sheet and the new CL format is going to make them a fortune the likes of Hibs can only dream about.

What has happened in this country ( and it's surprising that we don't make more of it ) is that supporters of 'the others' have practically come to terms with the situation, to the extent that they still turn up to watch their clubs even though they have no chance of winning the league. My guess is that I'm like every other fans in this country; in that when I wake up on the first day of the season I give absolutely no thought to who can or will win the league. What I wonder about is can Hibs finish third and perhaps win a cup and I look forward to the season because of that.

The absolute truth is I would rather watch Hibs play any other team than Celtic and I'm willing to bet a Motherwell, St Mirren, Aberdeen or Hearts fan would say exactly the same. I'm also willing to bet that in the last few seasons not a single club in the premier league has had it's biggest turnout of home supporters for a game with Celtic.

When it comes to Celtic their utter dominance is fast turning them into an irrelevance in our domestic game. No manager will get sacked after a loss to them unless its part of a horrendous run of results and fans do not judge their team or manager on these games. I'm really looking forward to the Motherwell game this Saturday ..... I simply cannot remember the last time I had any level of excitement or anticipation whatsoever prior to a game with Celtic.

In short ... It's not top league fitba that's become pointless, it's Celtic who are fast becoming pointless, to the extent that the only people they have any relevance to are the folk who support them and the Sticky Buns.

[Carheenlea]

With league leaders Shelbourne losing to St Pats tonight it’s going to make for an interesting finale to the season in the Irish League.

A 36 game season, 5 points separating the top 4 with Derry City having a game in hand, and even the sides 5th & 6th in a 10 team league are just 7 points off the top.

Scottish grounds would be sold out every week if we had such a close competition.


https://i.postimg.cc/TPghXQTv/IMG-0437.jpg (https://postimg.cc/t1R9331B)

[Smartie]

I’ll watch the Championship in a Friday night or maybe switch over if I hear Hearts, Celtic or Rangers are having a hard time against someone but that’s about it as far as non-Hibs football is concerned. No interest in English or Elite European football. Might take an interest in Napoli and the other Italian clubs who have Scots as there’s still a very small fire burning inside me somewhere for our national team.

The idea that I’d not have a season ticket for ER and not be bothered watching any football would have been a wild concept 10 years ago, but here we are.

Much more interested in watching either golf or American football these days.

[wookie70]

I’ll watch the Championship in a Friday night or maybe switch over if I hear Hearts, Celtic or Rangers are having a hard time against someone but that’s about it as far as non-Hibs football is concerned. No interest in English or Elite European football. Might take an interest in Napoli and the other Italian clubs who have Scots as there’s still a very small fire burning inside me somewhere for our national team.

The idea that I’d not have a season ticket for ER and not be bothered watching any football would have been a wild concept 10 years ago, but here we are.

Much more interested in watching either golf or American football these days.

Same with me but my lack of interest has spread to lots of sports I used to love. Too much choice, Money and funding from corrupt regimes, TV companies over-covering everything, PITA pundits and also TV companies run by the most odious characters in society combined with a general lack characters have all meant I have less and less interest in top level sport. Sport is miles more professional now but that doesn't make it better to watch.
Meanwhile, mostly through my photography, I have loved watching lower levels of sport. Athletics, swimming, Speedway, Golf, Basketball and Cyclocross etc are decent to watch but it is the people who keep those sports going that interests me and makes it a good way to spend time.

My love for Hibs is as strong as ever though

[CentreLine]

That kinda how I feel. Dont understand this love in with English football.

I’m with you on that. Robotic, over hyped and stale. I much prefer to watch a Scottish Championship game of a Friday night than any EPL game. Not done that for a couple of years. I occasionally watch an English Championship game with a bit more earthy play involved. I haven’t taken in a European Cup final for years and find my only interest in EUFA matches is to see how Scottish sides are performing. For me big money has ripped the heart out of the beautiful game.

[hibee-boys]

90% of football team supporters rock up at the beginning of the season knowing their team has no chance of winning the league. Certainly in my Hibs lifetime, started going to games late 80s I can only really remember the Old Firm dominating, it’s never dulled my enthusiasm for attending ER. I look forward to all individual games and although I start the season with high expectations around a cup run I know we have zero chance of winning the league, and are unlikely to do so in my lifetime given the disparity in finances.

[Bridge hibs]

90% of football team supporters rock up at the beginning of the season knowing their team has no chance of winning the league. Certainly in my Hibs lifetime, started going to games late 80s I can only really remember the Old Firm dominating, it’s never dulled my enthusiasm for attending ER. I look forward to all individual games and although I start the season with high expectations around a cup run I know we have zero chance of winning the league, and are unlikely to do so in my lifetime given the disparity in finances.Yep same, I started attending mid 70s and ****, the football was grim at times and that was with celtc and the team formerly known as rangers.

Celtc now are strolling games and even looked far superior to the rangers recently. Will be interesting to see how good celtc really are tonight when they face the mighty Dortmund.

[WestStandWillie]

Been a ST holder for many a year and it used to bug me when I had to miss a game, now not so much. I've seen every trophy we're likely to win in my lifetime.

Celtic are financially lightyears ahead of the rest - Rangers might do themselves in trying to compete, which would be funny but then you'd be as well giving Celtic the trophy on MD1.

Ideal scenario the uglies **** off to some European breakaway league and the SPL gets proper competitive (albeit tv finances would crash), sadly there's more chance of finding Lord Lucan and Shergar.

[andrew70]

With league leaders Shelbourne losing to St Pats tonight it’s going to make for an interesting finale to the season in the Irish League.

A 36 game season, 5 points separating the top 4 with Derry City having a game in hand, and even the sides 5th & 6th in a 10 team league are just 7 points off the top.

Scottish grounds would be sold out every week if we had such a close competition.


https://i.postimg.cc/TPghXQTv/IMG-0437.jpg (https://postimg.cc/t1R9331B)

Shelbourne play Derry on the last day.

[chippy]

Read this argument before, but when we last had a bigger league - which ended in 1974/75, Celtic had just won 9 titles in a row:dunno:

Which was the 1st time that had ever happened by one of the strongest teams in world football. Huns won cup Winners cup, we got to quarters of it too. We’d been inter cities semi finalists in 62 I think. Yes Dons and Arabs did well in 10 club league but all the players had been nurtured and developed in the old 18 club structure. The 10 club premier set up was only thinking about gate revenues and not developing players . Eddie Turnbull called it a league without a middle- he hated it.

[chippy]

Shelbourne play Derry on the last day.

Independent Ireland is an economic powerhouse compared to Scotland as a dependent

[Sylar]

Independent Ireland is an economic powerhouse compared to Scotland as a dependent

Can we please not...?

[andrew70]

Independent Ireland is an economic powerhouse compared to Scotland as a dependent

Yes however the money that goes into football as opposed to say GAA is shocking.

[Malthibby]

At least with the Old Firm running Scottish football it means that everyone else benefits from the trickle down economics through them performing well in Europe and...haud on........

[Bridge hibs]

Yep same, I started attending mid 70s and ****, the football was grim at times and that was with celtc and the team formerly known as rangers.

Celtc now are strolling games and even looked far superior to the rangers recently. Will be interesting to see how good celtc really are tonight when they face the mighty Dortmund.Well that answers that question, ****ing leathered 🤣

[PHeffernan]

Well that answers that question, ****ing leathered ��

St Johnstone must be relieved they're not playing Dortmund at the weekend!

Sadly there is nothing random about modern football. There is a strict pecking order after the money men and computers sucked all the life out of it.

[Pagan Hibernia]

Don't know why we even bother discussing this any more to be honest. The only difference is that instead of having two clubs it is impossible to challenge we now have one. Watching Celtic v an admittedly poor St Johnstone last night was like watching one of those Harlem Globetrotters v a load of mugs basketball games from back in the day, the gulf in quality was jaw droppingly vast and at times you could see Celtic's players practically joking around with each other as if they were on the training pitch.

For years now we have had a league within a league and saying the others have to try harder or do better is simply a nonsensically redundant statement .... This summer Celtic spent over 30 million Euros on 6 players and it barely made a dent in their balance sheet and the new CL format is going to make them a fortune the likes of Hibs can only dream about.

What has happened in this country ( and it's surprising that we don't make more of it ) is that supporters of 'the others' have practically come to terms with the situation, to the extent that they still turn up to watch their clubs even though they have no chance of winning the league. My guess is that I'm like every other fans in this country; in that when I wake up on the first day of the season I give absolutely no thought to who can or will win the league. What I wonder about is can Hibs finish third and perhaps win a cup and I look forward to the season because of that.

The absolute truth is I would rather watch Hibs play any other team than Celtic and I'm willing to bet a Motherwell, St Mirren, Aberdeen or Hearts fan would say exactly the same. I'm also willing to bet that in the last few seasons not a single club in the premier league has had it's biggest turnout of home supporters for a game with Celtic.

When it comes to Celtic their utter dominance is fast turning them into an irrelevance in our domestic game. No manager will get sacked after a loss to them unless its part of a horrendous run of results and fans do not judge their team or manager on these games. I'm really looking forward to the Motherwell game this Saturday ..... I simply cannot remember the last time I had any level of excitement or anticipation whatsoever prior to a game with Celtic.

In short ... It's not top league fitba that's become pointless, it's Celtic who are fast becoming pointless, to the extent that the only people they have any relevance to are the folk who support them and the Sticky Buns.

I suppose it's all about Europe now for Celtic, which is why tonight will sting for them.

Domestically, as you say, they are an irrelevance. It's not impossible that they'll have an off day here and there and maybe even get knocked out of one of the cups by somebody, but generally, if they really want to win a trophy they will. If they really want to win a treble they will.

I've no idea what it's like being a celtic fan (and I sure as hell have no intention of ever finding out), but I honestly imagine it must be a fairly joyless football life. Yes they get a bit of amusement from grinding the huns into dust, but what other satisfaction can they really get?

When Hibs next win a trophy, my employer knows they probably won't see me for days. I'll be in party mood for a fortnight, and still feeling the buzz several months later. When Celtic win a trophy their fans have probably already moved on by 10pm that night. That's the difference and while I of course want hibs to be more successful, I honestly and genuinely wouldn't trade places with a celtic fan. Remember that cheesy Liverpool FC slogan 'This means more'? For Scottish teams outside Celtic and Rangers, it's definitely true.

[NAE NOOKIE]

I suppose it's all about Europe now for Celtic, which is why tonight will sting for them.

Domestically, as you say, they are an irrelevance. It's not impossible that they'll have an off day here and there and maybe even get knocked out of one of the cups by somebody, but generally, if they really want to win a trophy they will. If they really want to win a treble they will.

I've no idea what it's like being a celtic fan (and I sure as hell have no intention of ever finding out), but I honestly imagine it must be a fairly joyless football life. Yes they get a bit of amusement from grinding the huns into dust, but what other satisfaction can they really get?

When Hibs next win a trophy, my employer knows they probably won't see me for days. I'll be in party mood for a fortnight, and still feeling the buzz several months later. When Celtic win a trophy their fans have probably already moved on by 10pm that night. That's the difference and while I of course want hibs to be more successful, I honestly and genuinely wouldn't trade places with a celtic fan. Remember that cheesy Liverpool FC slogan 'This means more'? For Scottish teams outside Celtic and Rangers, it's definitely true.

This kind of ( well very loosely :greengrin ) goes to what I was saying.

The only club that are ever going to put a stop to Celtic is Sevco and for the rest of us that changes absolutely nothing. For ages now Hibs and everybody else have operated in a league within a league and that doesn't look like ending any time soon.

So do we continue to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that one day a club like us will find the ability to challenge them for the league given the list of reasons why we can't:

A) The second we bring through or buy a player who rises above average for this league they bugger off to the EFL or abroad, usually for far less than the Uglies would get for the same level of player.

B) Even if we ( or anybody else ) did find an owner willing to chuck enough money at the problem that would enable us to match, or get close to, Celtic's and to a lesser extent Sevco's spending power vis a vis transfer fees and wages, we would eventually fall foul of UEFA's so called 'fair play' rules the minute we set foot onto the continent.

c) Pish in the CL or not Celtic's continued participation and the new format is going to make them richer and richer and richer, making them increasingly impossible to compete with and as things stand the only club capable of taking their place in that competition is Sevco.

So I'll say it again ..... Why don't we, the fans of everybody else, get together and create a 'fans cup' awarded to the highest placed non Uglies team every season. It's launch could be accompanied by a joint statement forcefully stating the fact that we recognise the clubs we support no longer compete on a level playing field in any sense of that term and that we see no prospect of that changing short of a miracle.
We would not be unique in this ... In the USA fans have awarded a cup to the team finishing the regular MLS season with the best record for years. In the northwest the fans 'Cascadia cup' between Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps is hotly contested. Not a single club has any problem accepting these 'fans trophies' and winning the regular season fans cup is treated as a matter of pride by all MLS clubs.

OK maybe a false sense of pride might make the actual clubs like Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen cold on accepting such a trophy ... but if a sponsor could be found for it that could change. These are different times, it's not the 50s, 60s or even 80s any more where clubs had an outside chance .... we all recognise that, so why not make a statement like this to show the powers that be exactly what we all know to be true.

[where'stheslope]

I would say the league is finished now! Celtic have sold big and bought big, and still have around £72 million in the bank!
If for any reason they feel threatened by Xmas they have a war chest to weaken other teams in the league apart from the Huns!
What they need they would buy, so as far as I'm concerned the league is over now!
It's just a pity that their war chest is chicken feed in Europe, hence they can get stuffed!!!

[blackpoolhibs]

I would say the league is finished now! Celtic have sold big and bought big, and still have around £72 million in the bank!
If for any reason they feel threatened by Xmas they have a war chest to weaken other teams in the league apart from the Huns!
What they need they would buy, so as far as I'm concerned the league is over now!
It's just a pity that their war chest is chicken feed in Europe, hence they can get stuffed!!!

Not for me, i find it great that they get a small sample every season of what the rest of us get most weeks.:greengrin

[Scottie]

Not for me, i find it great that they get a small sample every season of what the rest of us get most weeks.:greengrin
:agree: Hate that patronising club as much as the other arse cheeks across the city. My weeks been fair cheered up since their pumping through the week.

[CanonHannon]

:agree: Hate that patronising club as much as the other arse cheeks across the city. My weeks been fair cheered up since their pumping through the week.

The Scottish League is a 2 horse race as mentioned, the remainder of the league are fighting for a European spot or against relegation. The middle group of teams are playing friendlies basically. Currently working in EK and the Glasgow Deby banter is priceless. At least they have something to play for every week and scrap for every point! It is quite interesting to see this and feel the excitement every weekend brings! Celtic fans are most definitely not in my experience patronising, they like attacking football and getting one over SEVCO while celebrating success.

The answer for me is Celtic and Rangers to move down South. Then the Scottish game will prosper and bring excitement again. It would also be better for the Glasgow teams playing in a competitive League.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

The Scottish League is a 2 horse race as mentioned, the remainder of the league are fighting for a European spot or against relegation. The middle group of teams are playing friendlies basically. Currently working in EK and the Glasgow Deby banter is priceless. At least they have something to play for every week and scrap for every point! It is quite interesting to see this and feel the excitement every weekend brings! Celtic fans are most definitely not in my experience patronising, they like attacking football and getting one over SEVCO while celebrating success.

The answer for me is Celtic and Rangers to move down South. Then the Scottish game will prosper and bring excitement again. It would also be better for the Glasgow teams playing in a competitive League.

It's not a two horse race and hasn't been for a while, and won't be anytime soon.

[Nutmegged]

Everything everywhere is all too predictably boring now, the same teams win the same things every year, there might be the odd occasion where something spectacular happens, Leicester in 2015-16, St Johnstone double cup win in 2020-21 and Leverkusan last season, but these things will never be sustained. Just look at how Real Madrid have dominated the Champions League in the last decade, 6 wins in the last 10 years, if I was growing up now I doubt I'd be overly interested in football, but it's more of a habit for me now.

Not sure there'll be any will to change much in Europe, but if I was charged to make Scottish football more interesting I'd be inclined to try an 18 team league, play everyone twice, European Play-Off's, Relegation Play-Off's, I'd also change it back to two points for a win, they initially changed it to 3 points because they thought it would encourage teams to try and win more games, instead of playing for draws, but in Scotland when we have 2 clubs who'll regularly win around 90% of their games, all it ever does is stretch their lead further and further, it's a rule that was only suited to two clubs, back in 1994, there wasn't as vast a chasm between the rest of the clubs and Rangers, so I could understand the appeal of changing it, but we're so far apart from Celtic now that no one else really benefits.

Knowing Celtic/Rangers games a season is only worth 8 points compared to the 24 currently would make a massive difference

So...
18 team League
4 games against Cel/Ran instead of 8
2 points for a win
Euro Play-Off's
Fairer relegation Play-Off's

[heretoday]

I couldn't survive watching Scottish football and nothing else! It's absolutely dire these days. I really don't know where it will end.

[Carheenlea]

I couldn't survive watching Scottish football and nothing else! It's absolutely dire these days. I really don't know where it will end.

I don’t even watch Scottish Football now.

Watch Hibs, immerse myself 100% into it and that’s the entirety of my football viewing.