http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/republic-set-for-2011-celtic-cup-tournament-1345687.html Didn't see this on any existing thread and it has only gotten lukewarm press elsewhere. Can any one that lives in Scotland tell me if the proposed tourney has generated any kind of excitement either in Scotland, Ireland, or Wales? I like the concept of the tournament, but the results I am sure will less than grand. How seriously do you think Scottish players would take this cup, given that Euro and WC Qualification is so difficult?
Annoys me really, feels like they look down on it when really I think they just don't like the idea of knowing they might actually get gubbed by one of the other teams. hah! Shame.
Not the same as the old Home Nations competition, but it will certainly be more interesting and competative than the friendlies that we have played in the past. I would much rather see some of our younger players get exposure in a competitive game against one of the home countries than a meaningless game against Japan.
I would think if the home nations wanted to do this they could perhaps get someone a bit better than the Republic. We could invite a different team every year.
I disagree. Obviously, England doesn't want to be a part, so the next logical choice is the Republic. Dublin is hosting the first one in its new stadium. This tournament might only be a one off if it doesn't go over well.
It's going to bomb. We're overloaded with football more than ever these days and without an England team taking part it has little to no consequence. Rebranding it as The Celtic Cup wont make a blind bit of difference. At the end of the day everyone taking part in the home nations, which is what this is, a home nations tourney for the 21st century, wanted to beat England. As much as it pains me to say it, they've always been the big fish in the home nations pond and with that possibility taken out of the equation it leaves a meaningless tournament.