Martin O’Neill believes that 85,000 fans would fill Celtic Park if the hoops were allowed to join the Premier League.
For over a decade the subject has been raised from time to time without any real prospect of a breakthrough.
Under O’Neill Celtic beat Liverpool and Blackburn on route to the 2003 UEFA Cup final with Champions League nights at Celtic Park attracting interest across the world that few stadiums can match.
Despite having all the fundamentals Celtic’s place looks stuck in the Scottish game for years to come with the financial gap to English clubs getting bigger by the season.
O’Neill will put his feelings for Celtic to one side on Friday night as he leads Ireland into ‘enemy territory’ for a Euro 2016 qualifier but that won’t change his feelings for the club where he enjoyed his most successful days.
“They are a fantastic football club, one of the greatest in the world,” the Ireland boss said. “And if there was a united Premier League they could build an extra tier and still fill 85,000 every home game.
“I’ve not been back to take charge of a competitive game before but the difference is that although I’m going back to Celtic Park, a place I could call home for several years, and while I might turn right instead of left as we go into the dressing rooms – I don’t think I’ve ever set foot in the away dressing room before – this is a game against Scotland, not against Celtic. So all the nuances end there.”
As well as O’Neill the venue will bring back happy memories for Aiden McGeady- Celtic’s most expensive transfer out of the club.
McGeady spent six seasons in the Celtic first team but it’s his choice for international football that is the topic of discussion this week as the unsavoury side of Scottish football surfaces.
The Everton man is well on his way towards 100 Irish caps with his manager not bothered by the abuse that is likely to be aimed at McGeady on Friday night.
“He has chosen to play for Ireland which is his prerogative,” O’Neill said. “Although I had nothing to do with his decision, I’m delighted he chose to follow his forefathers from Donegal.
“Booing or cheer is the prerogative of fans but I don’t think it’d have an impact. He has experience and at the age he’s at, he’ll take this in his stride.”