Other than the sneering contempt of Jason Cundy or Adrian Durham it’s unusual to see Celtic discussed in the English media.
When the talkSPORT ‘experts’ are struggling for an audience the call usually goes out to slag off Celtic and wait for an avalanche of calls that they can giggle through.
Even the introduction of Brendan Rodgers as manager has brought little credibility to the Little Englanders who think that the footballing world starts at Bournemouth and ends at Newcastle.
Celtic’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City stirred a little curiosity in Moussa Dembele but other than former Celt’s Chris Sutton and Tony Cascarino few have been able to equate that result with the bottom falling out of Pep Guardiola’s season.
Writing in the Mirror at the weekend Andy Dunn challenged the conventional wisdom that Celtic were inferior to all things English and little more than a medium sized fish in a tiny pond.
The anniversary of the Lisbon Lions prompted some out of the box thinking with Dunn explaining: “Somehow, they (Celtic) must surely try to find a way to the Premier League.
“In a couple of weeks’ time, the English Football League have their annual general meeting in Portugal.
“Not on the agenda is the Whole Game Solution, an idea that might have passed you by, but was scrapped anyway back in November.
“Essentially, the idea was to have five divisions of 20 teams in English football.
“With the creation of a “new” division, a League Three, that might have opened the door to Celtic.
“The Whole Game Solution never got past first base after the Football Association insisted they would not alter their FA Cup schedule, but that should not stop the Football League discussing ways of expanding.
“Celtic, in the imaginary scenario of taking up a position in the Football League, would be a fantastic addition, their inevitable climb up the ladder would be compelling.
“Yes, the notion of Celtic and Rangers competing down south is an old chestnut that has been kicked into touch many times but it is a debate that should not go away and, you never know, one day the Premier League might need Celtic.”