Craig Bellamy: Nobody in England cares about Celtic success – the Old Firm’s only future is down south

‘BEST EVER’ CELTIC RUN ISN’T REAL

There was always going to be a vacuum left after what happened to Rangers and it hasn’t helped Celtic. I know they will say they’ve had their best run ever, but you can’t compare this side with the one from the Sixties – it’s not fair and it isn’t real. Celtic need a strong Rangers.

The days are gone when they could have an impact on Europe. The team of 2003 with Henrik Larsson in it, which got to a European final – well, unfortunately I just don’t believe we’re going to see that for a while. Not until Rangers get up there somewhere near them again and become once again the competition needed to push Celtic on.

The challenge for the Hoops in Scotland just isn’t there anymore and it could take Rangers another three or so years to get back up there with them.

THE OLD FIRM’S ONLY FUTURE IS DOWN SOUTH

Even if Celtic and Rangers were only offered a place in the lower leagues, they should get in there. Those two clubs would be in the Premier League in no time. They are that big, they’re that well followed that they’d climb their way up as quick as possible.

The Old Firm clubs would be a huge asset to the Premier League and it would be a game changer for Celtic and Rangers, too. I’d feel for Scottish football if it happened, but when I look at the two Glasgow giants the only real future they have is to get themselves down south.

I’m not sure it will ever come to pass, but I hang on it happening. I’m not a religious man, far from it, but I pray for that moment to come. It would be brilliant for both the Premier League and those two clubs. We think we’ve got a great Premier League now, but it would be even better if we had Celtic and Rangers in it.

NO ONE CARES ABOUT RODGERS’ CELTIC SUCCESS

Brendan Rodgers couldn’t have done any more than he did with Celtic last season. His reputation as a great coach is there, but getting another top job in the Premier League might be difficult for him. Mainly because – and I found this out during my time in Scotland – it doesn’t matter what you do up there – no one cares. I had more offers in January, before I went to Celtic, than I did when I finished my time up there the following summer.

That’s because once you went up to Scotland nobody in England gave a damn what you did up there. If you do well up there, it’s a case of ‘so you should’. I just didn’t feel it mattered to anyone down south.