'Rangers And Celtic Should Be Invited To Take Part In The Carabao Cup'

Rangers and Celtic should be invited to take part in the Carabao Cup according to Gers deputy chairman John Bennett.

The Old Firm rivals have been linked with a move to English football for years with many fans wondering how they'd fare in the Premier League.

But Bennett has suggested both sides should be allowed in the EFL's competition as part of a massive shake-up.

He told the Price of Football podcast: "I think the Carabao Cup would be very interesting for the Old Firm to be invited to, but also to participate in because I think of the colour, the fans and the excitement it would bring.

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"And I actually think the attraction it would bring to broadcasters. I'm not sure it's limited to the Old Firm.

"Could it be an invitation that's extended to, say, the top four clubs in any given season in the Scottish Premiership?

"I think that's something we should explore, it's something I'm keen to explore and I think it's something the EFL should be keen to explore.

"Forecasting is always a dangerous game but I'll give you this forecast - we would sell out our away allocation, no problem."

All 92 teams in the Premier League and EFL currently compete in the Carabao Cup, with EFL sides entering at the first round and top-flight sides not in Europe entering in the second.

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The third round is when teams competing in Europe enter.

Manchester City are current holders of the trophy and have dominated since Pep Guardiola arrived in 2016.

Victory over Tottenham Hotspur in April gave them their fourth consecutive win, as well as their sixth in eight seasons.

Domestically, Rangers went unbeaten in 2020/2021 and they clinched their first Scottish Premiership in a decade.

Manager Steven Gerrard has become a popular figure at Ibrox since arriving as a rookie manager.

He told Sky Sports: "As a kid, I thought it was one club for life.

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"I've come through at Liverpool and had a career there which I'm immensely proud of. I came up here with my eyes wide open to learn about the club.

"I had a good idea from the outside but this has grabbed me. It's a club like very few in the world. This has got a special place in my heart. I'm happy here. I had to make a lot of sacrifices family wise, but I want more."

Celtic finished 25 points behind Rangers and parted company with boss Neil Lennon at the end of the season.

Ange Postecoglou has since been confirmed as their new manager.

Topics: Carabao Cup, Celtic, Football, Rangers

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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