Celtic SHOULD be able to make their mark on Europe just like Rangers despite some of the massive wage budgets in the Champions League.
That is the view of Jim White as he rhymed off the list of heavy defeats that the Hoops have suffered in Europe’s elite competition in the wake of the 7-1 demolition at the hands of Borussia Dortmund. The standard of the Premiership has taken flak following the rout – with Brendan Rodgers’ side boasting a perfect domestic record so far this season – but talkSPORT host White insisted that Scottish football shouldn’t be getting the blame.
Discussing Celtic, the host said: “It’s the second 7-1 defeat he’s suffered at the club. That’s on top of a 5-0, a 6-0 and a 7-0. Last season they conceded three times in seven minutes in a 6-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid and twice in three minutes against Lazio in Rome.
“It’s nothing to do with the standard of the Scottish league, Rangers got themselves to a European final recently beating Dortmund along the way. So it can be done.”
Fellow host Simon Jordan conceded ground on the issue – but insists the likes of Manchester City’s £400m wage bill ultimately makes the difference: “It can be done. Absolutely it can be done.
“But we do know that the economic might of football clubs does determine more often that not outcomes and we do know that there is a common metric that says, the bigger your wage bill, the more likely you are to be higher up the league. If you’ve got a wage bill of £400million like Manchester City have got, you’re likely to have better players and a better team.”
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.