Where would Scottish Premiership champions Celtic finish in the Premier League?
Monday 3 April 2017 16:58, UK
Brendan Rodgers says his Scottish title-winning Celtic could compete with the Premier League's elite - but just how high could the Glasgow side finish in England's top flight?
Celtic sealed a sixth-straight Scottish Premiership crown with a 5-0 thrashing of Hearts on Sunday, a result which also kept them on course for an undefeated season.
Speaking to Sky Sports after seeing his side win for the 28th time in 30 games, Rodgers insisted his men could compete with the top 20 teams south of the border at this moment in time and that Celtic would be a powerhouse with the added finances available.
"Could we play in the Premier League? Yes we could," he said. "This is one of the great iconic clubs in the world so there is no doubt that with this group we could go in. Imagine the backing then. Celtic would be one of the minimum top four, top six clubs in the English Premier League and then that puts you on a different level altogether."
We asked Sky Sports pundits Charlie Nicholas and Andy Walker for their views on how well Celtic would do in the Premier League - both right now, and with the increased finances on offer…
Charlie Nicholas (Celtic 1980-83 & 1990-95)
"If Celtic ever got to England and could get straight into the Premier League - which I don't think will happen in my lifetime - and if they got the same as every other Premier League team, which is a fortune, and the sponsors that would come from North America and other places, they would be in a very strong financial position.
As it stands now they wouldn't be close to the top six. That's the reality.
"But Celtic have been talking about this for 20 years and it isn't going to happen. As it stands now they wouldn't be close to the top six. I'm not being disrespectful to a team who have just turned champions. It's the reality. I couldn't see this team going in and being better than Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United and the four above them. I couldn't see it.
"But if they could ever get the finance the top Premier League teams get he's got a case. But that, for me, will never happen."
Andy Walker (Celtic 1987-91 & 1994-96)
"It's a real boost for Scottish football that Brendan Rodgers is up here. He's taken Celtic to another level. The improvement to the team from the last couple of years is enormous. They're getting better coaching and without a doubt the players are fitter than they were under Ronny Deila. It's exciting for Celtic supporters.
I would put them at mid-table in the Premier League. They're certainly better than the teams likely to be relegated.
"In terms of how they compare to Premier League teams, I cover a fair amount of English games and right now I'd put Celtic at mid-table in the Premier League. They're certainly better than Sunderland, Hull, Middlesbrough and Swansea, the teams that are likely to be relegated.
"They've done well with what little they've had to spend. With another bit of investment they could improve again."
