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What If Celtic And Rangers Played In England? Football Manager Simulates The Experiment
How would Celtic and Rangers fare if they were thrown into the English leagues? Jamie O'Hara recently claimed both would be Premier League relegation battlers, but would they really do that badly?
It's a debate many have had down the years. "Steven Gerrard has done a fantastic job," O'Hara told TalkSPORT. "He's got them playing some decent football but in terms of the quality, I still don't think it's anywhere near the Premier League.
"I think both teams would struggle to stay in the Premier League. They'd find it tough."
The former Spurs midfielder went on to question whether the two biggest teams in Scotland are indeed better than the likes of Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham. "I don't know." he said. "I think Fulham would win the league in Scotland."
After all the discussion surrounding how Celtic and Rangers would fare in England's top leagues, one Football Manager fan has decided to simulate that idea to find out - and the results were certainly interesting, albeit worrying for one set of supporters.
Rangers & Celtic in England - a thread. pic.twitter.com/nLbZ9NdwmS
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
Twitter account @nocontextfm1 placed The Gers and The Hoops in the Championship, where they replaced two of the worst teams in the league.
As you can see below, Celtic were the clear favourites and Rangers should have been up there, but underperfomed.
Here is a thread of that journey in full. Enjoy!
Halfway through the first season and it's going fairly meh for both teams. Celtic really should be in the automatic places and Rangers really should be in the playoffs. However, it's there first season in England. It takes a lot of time to acclimatise to Stoke away. pic.twitter.com/JqUs9hwpEG
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
The Rangers board, however, clearly think that this is not good enough. They've clearly placed an emphasis on results over style with their replacement pic.twitter.com/IMvQwR10mq
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
End of the first season and The Bhoys can celebrate! It may not have been the most convincing win, but they've come away with the title at the first time of asking.
The Gers will have to spend another season in the Sky Bet after a loss against eventual PO winners Swansea. pic.twitter.com/MMOVmdivIk
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
So there we go. If Rangers and Celtic were thrown into the Championship with the teams they currently have, Steven Gerrard's side would come agonisingly close to Premier League promotion in third, while The Hoops run away with the title as champions.
What about the second season?
Second season transfers!
Rangers don't spend that much, but that doesn't matter when you get Almada on a loan.
Celtic spend £80 million, notably picking up Jack O'connell. They aren't here to mess about. pic.twitter.com/I6m7hmviUu
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
Second season preview. Rangers still have more than enough to get promoted and Celtic are predicted to finish mid table. They'll probably take that given the Premier League TV money. pic.twitter.com/sjVvD31GUh
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
Half way through the second season. Allardyce's Rangers are just about clinging to a playoff spot and Celtic are trundling along nicely in the place they were predicted to finish. pic.twitter.com/FGBuuofClz
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
End of the second season. Rangers miss out yet again in the playoffs :sob: Celtic finish 13th. Respectable for their first season in the Prem but they'll be looking to kick on pic.twitter.com/6Lu30g836w
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
It's the end of the second season and Rangers once again miss out on promotion to the Premier League, finishing a disappointing fifth place, while over-achieving Celtic finish in a respectable 13th place as they look to kick on and become challengers in the coming years. Will they?
Let's find out.
3rd season transfers.
Rangers have snapped. They've spent £40m in the Championship. No messing.
Celtic spend £55m. Notable signings= Kurt Zouma and James Milner. pic.twitter.com/3H92zlKOkQ
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
If you're interested. These are their squads at the start of the third season. pic.twitter.com/v7cs0mKEF2
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
Halfway through the third season. Rangers are STILL in the playoffs. Celtic are suffering from second season syndrome! pic.twitter.com/vbKoFwxcCG
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
End of the third season. Celtic survive by the skin of their teeth. Phew!
Rangers go into the lottery of the playoffs again! But this time they make it through!!! Leeds vs Rangers in the Playoff final has to go down as one of the greatest ever spectacles. pic.twitter.com/LuWi4Pi0se
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
Before we start the fourth season, big announcement. Sam Allardyce has said his work here is done and after getting Rangers promoted he resigns.
Stale Solbakken, who managed Wolves in 2012, is his replacement. pic.twitter.com/sOuR0yHS0g
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
20 days agoThat's the third season done and Rangers are FINALLY promoted to the promised land after a play-off final win against Leeds United. But after getting them promoted, Sam Allardyce has left and Stale Solbakken has taken over. Celtic, meanwhile, survive by the skin of their teeth.
Fourth season? Oh go on then.
Fourth season transfers. Rangers only spend £27m after getting promoted. Clearly feeling the impact of England's COVID measures now they've moved.
Celtic, however, spend £71m. They clearly don't want to be dragged into another relegation battle. pic.twitter.com/xjLGWWAwek
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
Fourth season preview. Well, you can see for yourselves what they predict. Have Rangers got enough to survive? pic.twitter.com/liLAlEphAo
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
Half way through the fourth season and it is tight at the bottom. 6 points seperate 11th and 18th- both Celtic and Rangers are stuck in a relegation battle. pic.twitter.com/ChpT0OIZVl
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
I can't believe it :joy::joy::joy: both Rangers and Celtic have got to the League Cup final.
In what can only be described as a battle, Rangers are the first team to win silverware in England!!! Unbelievable scenes in their first season in the Prem. pic.twitter.com/mvdM6AQQWi
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
Rangers' celebrations are short lived though. Celtic finish comfortably mid table and Rangers are relegated on goal difference:sob: pic.twitter.com/Q3058n8qlc
- Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 23, 2020
The fourth season is perhaps the most exciting yet. Rangers and Celtic meet in the League Cup final, where The Gers come out on top and win a first piece of silverware in England. But in a big plot twist, Rangers are relegated from the Premier League on goal difference. Celtic finish in mid-table.
If you're interested, you can see the rest of the Football Manager thread HERE, where the fan goes on to simulate further.
Featured Image Credit: PA/Football Manager
Topics: Football Manager, Celtic, Football, Scottish Premiership, Rangers
