Firstly, it’s usually written off immediately as it would be Rangers v them every year. One wee tweak solves that, make it League Champions v Cup Winners, as normal, but in the event of the double being done, it’s be League Champions v Cup Runners Up. See later in article for pairings in last 10 years, but there would only be 4 matches paired that way. That’s not exactly a lot.
Another game v Them. We played them 7 times last season. Yes, we did, but that was a one off, a figure I don’t think has ever been seen before. But remember, Real Madrid played Barcelona five times last season, and they are meeting in a two-legged Spanish Super Cup tie, and I haven’t heard anyone complaining about it. The best teams playing each other is not usually a bad idea.
Another meaningless match. Well, it would mean more than eg Rangers v Chelsea. It would have a trophy at stake, a chance to get one up before the season started, and even another competitive match before an early foray into Europe.
Now other attractions.
Played in late July, it would have no other British match played at same time, so could be played on a Saturday at 3pm, and still televised live, another chance for us to sell the Scottish Game to a worldwide audience, and create some revenue for the sport.
If done as a Charity match, it could provide extra revenue for deserving charities, and the sport being seen to be doing something of benefit to the community.
A game played in the summer sun (aye, ok it would still be played in Scotland!) would be a lot more enjoyable to attend, and maybe even some kids that don’t get to “big” games in the season could be taken, presuming the SFA priced it properly.
If you saw the Manchester Utd v Manchester City match at Wembley the other week, or the Real Madrid v Barcelona game on Sunday, you know this could be a good competitive match played as a season curtain raiser, a chance to get the season off on the right foot.
Now, the last 10 years the matches would be:
2011 Rangers (Champions) v Celtc – Not played this season
2010 Rangers v Dundee U – First game between them of season saw Rangers win 4-0
2009 Rangers v Falkirk - First game of season saw Rangers win 4-1
2008 Celtc v Rangers – First meeting of season saw Rangers win 4-2
2007 Celtc v Dunfermline – never met in 2007-08 season
2006 Celtc v Hearts – First meeting of season saw Hearts win 2-1
2005 Rangers v Celtc - First game between them of season saw Rangers win 3-1
2004 Celtc v Dunfermline – First meeting was 3-0 win for Celtc
2003 Rangers v Dundee – First meeting was 3-1 win for Rangers
2002 Celtc v Rangers – First meeting was 3-3, so a penalty shoot out ( I predict we’d have won that!!!)
So 10 seasons, 5 ( or 6) more titles for Rangers, one for Hearts, one for the East End Scum.
I think the idea could be a goer, SFA it’s over to you!