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Celtic invited to talks with elite G14 group
By Patience Magill August 8 2004
Celtic confirmed that they have been invited to talks about joining the elite European G14 group of clubs, who are lobbying for re-structuring of football competition across the Continent.
The invitation comes as the G14 - now 18 clubs and led by Juventus, Ajax and manchester United - flexes its muscles in support of re-organisation of competitions such as the Champions League and UEFA Cup.
Scotland has been left out of the picture for years, but Celtic's recent progress - reaching the UEFA Cup final in 2003 and an unbroken home record against teams like Barcelona, Juve and Bayern Munich - has attracted a great deal of attention.
although Rangers haven't confirmed it, the invitation includes them, as the G14 knows that both halves of the Old Firm are keen to see a re-structuring of deomestic and international league football given the financial limits of operating within the SPL.
Celtic and Rangers attract bigger crowds than most European clubs and have TV audiences from way beyond Scotland.
the invitation follows years of rumours about the Old Firm applying for the English premiership, or joining the so-called "Atlantic League" comprising bigger clubs from smaller leagues such as Scotland, Holland, Denmark and portugal.
The problem of operating in Scotland was emphasised last week by Celtic manager Martin O'Neill who pointed out that while Celtic earns little more than £1m from media rights each year, English clubs like Charlton, Newcastle and Middlesboro can expect more than £24m regardless of their competitive standing in the Premiership.
Dermot Desmond, Celtic biggest individual shareholder, told Celtic TV last week that he accepted that Celtic would continue in the SPL for some time yet, but added that the club would always be looking out for opportunities to operate further afield. Desmond would prefer that Celtic join the Premiership, but he acknowledged that the club would study any opportuntiy, although he feels personanly that top-level football in the UK needs wholescale restructuring.
The G14 invitation surprised some, but it is possible that such a move will raise the profile of the Scottish clubs and help push towards the sort of re-organisation which Celtic want in the not-so-distant future. there is no doubt that a successful application would greatly strengthen the club's influence at European level.

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