Ibrox director John Bennett has proposed that the ‘Old Firm’ should be invited to take part in the Carabao Cup (Football League Cup). Whether he is speaking on behalf of Celtic isn’t known.
Forty or fifty years ago the concept might have had some merit but the early success of the Texaco Cup and Anglo-Scottish Cup proved short lived with interest dying off.
If Bennett was paying attention the only competition of any interest in England is the EPL, such is the draw of that event the Play Off for a Championship club to join the EPL is the richest individual game in football, worth a minimum of £170m.
At one stage the FA Cup carried all the glamour but has been downgraded over the last 20 years with the Carabao/Football League Cup regarded as an inconvenience into an overcrowded fixture list.
Picking up on a podcast, the Daily Record reports Bennett saying:
I think the Carabao Cup would be very interesting for the Old Firm to be invited to, but also to participate because I think of the colour, the fans, the excitement it would bring.
And I actually think the attraction it would bring to broadcasters. I’m not sure it’s limited to the Old Firm.
Could it be an invitation that’s extended to, say, the top four clubs in any given season in the Scottish Premiership?
I think that’s something we should explore, I’m keen to explore and I think it’s something the English Football League should be keen to explore.
Forecasting is always a dangerous game but I’ll give you this forecast – we would sell out our away allocation, no problem.
Every club in the top two tiers of English football would gladly sacrifice any cup tie win for a place in the EPL and the guaranteed riches. A Carabao Cup place might excite the Ibrox boardroom but is unlikely to find any interest elsewhere.