Comments on: Why The SPL Is Falling Behind Europe

By: richard forero

richard forero — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:19:20 +0000

Yes I belive its a not only a quality issue( asin quality league) but money issue (wages) that is affecting the SPL.
But its never been a major league in Europe so whats new? Have major talents ever been snapped up by scottish teams? probably not. Is this becaus of money, immigration rules or SPL quality? Prob a bit of all of them

By: RangersMedia.co.uk

RangersMedia.co.uk — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:59:48 +0000

I agree somewhat Dave, but I would say that other than a good youth system being required, it is a good scouting system that is more needed.

We have the talent at youth level, it is giving it a chance that seems to be lacking. Our youth are definitely good enough and this is shown in the recent sale of Alan Hutton and the interest that was shown in Allan McGregor.

What Rangers, and the SPL need to do is cast their nets a little further in terms of youth.

By: dave stopher

dave stopher — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:11:18 +0000

That is the big problem with SPL!!! They need a good youth system.

By: Koewart

Koewart — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 21:24:28 +0000

Being a dutch football fan I think I know the feeling the scottish fans must have. Their league is getting drained of talent each time there is a transfer window, and you can only hope something similar (in terms of talent) will come back for it. But although it may make things a bit easier for the scottish sides, getting rid of the work permit rules won’t change that much. The difference between the ‘big leagues’ and the second tier (scotland, holland, france etc.) is still getting bigger. There is such a big imbalance in money, most talents are more eager to sit on a bench in some midtable premiership side or even championship side, then play in a scottish or any topleague side in a ‘small’ country.

By: Rangersmedia

Rangersmedia — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:58:00 +0000

There is no comparison between what the Russian league can offer a player in terms of financial clout, that’s for sure.

Second tier leagues like Holland and Belgium are definitely comparable in terms of the size of the league and the opportunity to play in Europe.

Barring perhaps PSV and Ajax; both sides of the Old Firm can offer any aspiring player the chance to play for one of the biggest club sides in the world and be well remunerated for their efforts at a level much greater than Belgian, Dutch or any other second tier league.

The difference between Belgium and Holland and the SPL is the ease at which these youngsters can get their working permits.

I’m not so sure the Vela example is perhaps the best. The way in which deals like his and even Messi’s at Barcelona are somewhat in a grey area in terms of UEFA and FIFA (oxymoron there – FIFA and UEFA are one big grey area)

Families for whatever reason *cough* money *cough* seem to somehow want to move lock stock to 5 miles outside a clubs training ground from their homes in South America or Latin America such as in the case of Vela.

By: Koewart

Koewart — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:08:34 +0000

Richard, If you look at the rules, Scottish sides can indeed do this, but if you sign a big talent and you loan him out a few seasons, after these seasons this talent would rather move directly to a european top team then go to a scottish side. Not many talents would like to move to a scottish side, let alone wait a few years in a mediocre league before moving to a scottish club.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:55:21 +0000

granted, the Russians can already afford to pay high wages that SPL clubs won’t be able to.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:54:30 +0000

Question is, would the Brazilians want to come and play in Scotland?

I guess if they can go play in Russia…

By: richard forero

richard forero — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:34:31 +0000

The premier league clubs do have plenty of cash.
However Arsenal managed to get round the problem without buying second hand. Take, Vela. Comes from Mexico. Bought for Â£125k he was loaned out to a few spanish sides (due to these regualtions) He then qualified for his work permit and is back in England. hes a big talent and any scotish side could have done this. Maybe scotlands SPL isnt the same quality as other european leagues.