OPINION
Brendan Rodgers’ decision to swap the Celtic dugout for the manager’s job at Leicester City has ignited a real debate over the status and reputation of the Scottish game in comparison to it’s more affluent southern rival.
It’s easy to see arguments on both sides of the debate, but the main riposte used against those who reaffirm the size and history of Scotland’s two Glaswegian giants, Celtic and Rangers, is that they would struggle immensely in the Premier League.
This is a fair point, and anybody who suggests otherwise need only look at the distinctly average performances that both sides have put in in Europe in recent years, but Chris Sutton, ever the Celtic cheerleader, has been quick to argue that given enough time south of the border, the two Scottish sides would eventually thrive.
Sutton made this point on Twitter on Sunday evening replying to a tweet questioning his logic.
He said: “Given time the size of the clubs… they both would…”
Given time the size of the clubs … they both would… https://t.co/1Z9fYOWxPP
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) March 3, 2019
Ultimately, however, Sutton’s comments are borderline delusional.
Status and reputation matter for nothing in the English game. Look at the likes of Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Leeds United – all sleeping giants vastly underperforming.
Even if the two Glasgow sides were to move into the Premier League next season, for instance, they would definitely struggle based on their current squads, and even with the injection of TV money that they would receive, they would have a hard time attracting players compared to even a mid table Premier League club.
Both have great histories, yes, but all in all, as hard as it is to swallow, both are big fishes in small ponds.