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Celtic And Rangers 'Should Be Invited To Join Ligue 1 To Save Scottish And French Football'

Celtic And Rangers 'Should Be Invited To Join Ligue 1 To Save Scottish And French Football'

Interesting suggestion.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

An economics expert has suggested that Celtic and Rangers should be invited to a reduced Ligue 1 set-up.

Jean-Pascal Gayant, a Professor of Economics at Le Mans University, believes French football must reinvent itself to 'create a more competitive environment' following the recent collapse of a TV deal.

As a result of the deal falling through, the majority of clubs are set to struggle financially.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Gayant has therefore suggested that inviting the two Glasgow clubs would improve the quality of play in Ligue 1, as well as TV audiences.

"The Scottish league is a bit wobbly; 12 teams meeting three times and then five more games to find a way to end the season by trying to correct the structural imbalance." Gayant says.

"The title hasn't been won by a non-Glasgow club for 36 years. Making room for them in Ligue 1 seems to me an opportunity for Scottish football as well as French football.

"Firstly, reduce Ligue 1 to 16 teams or possibly 18 with the two Scottish teams to create a more competitive environment. With approximately the same payroll spread over 16 or 18 teams, the average quality of teams will improve and there will still be time to play European games."

Gayant goes on to speak about the possibility of a European Superleague and why Ligue 1 must act sooner rather than later.

"I think that the advent of a European Superleague is inevitable. I am convinced that we must anticipate, rather than undergo, an internationalisation of the so-called "domestic" leagues." Gayant says.

"The Champions League and other competitions have created a system that allows the best teams to play each other on a recurring basis but in the national championships, the gap between the top teams and the lower-ranked clubs continues to grow.

"One of the reasons for this growing imbalance is that the top teams benefit from Champions League money."

Image: PA
Image: PA

Earlier this month, it was reported that professional clubs in Belgium have voted in favour of merging with the Dutch Eredivisie in a move that could happen in 2025.

A total of 25 Belgian clubs have taken the remarkable step of 'establishing Beneliga,' which would see clubs in Belgium and Netherlands merge in one football pyramid.

The idea has been floated in the past but previously there has not been unanimous support from the Belgian Pro League as there is now.

Television deals in the two countries run until 2025 which would be the opportunity for a league restructure from both parties and allow the possibility.

Do you think it's a good idea to bring Celtic and Rangers to Ligue 1?

Let us know in teh comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA/Ligue 1

Topics:ย Celtic, Football, Ligue 1, Scottish Premiership, Rangers