For Scottish fans, the English FAs apparent lack of enthusiasm for reviving the old Home Internationals may mean no repeat of the famous afternoon in 1977 when they gave a different meaning to the term crossbar challenge.
Yet for the Scots, Welsh and Irish, both north and south, the proposed Celtic Cup, to start in 2009, could be their ticket out of major tournament ennui.
When the home nations tournament was shelved in 1984, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland had returned from one World Cup bound for another.
Since the 1998 World Cup, however, only England and Ireland (their anticipated replacements in the revived tournament) have qualified for a major championship. Scotland and Northern Ireland are both making positive steps towards Euro 2008 but biennial British Isles success is no longer a given.
Even if fortunes were revived, a Celtic Cup would still allow for one meaningless friendly fewer a year. Waless last competitive trip to Belfast proved a memorable one, while no living Irishman south of the border will ever forget a wet November night in Windsor Park when Alan McLoughlin booked their tickets for the USA 94.
But would a Celtic Cup really capture the imagination? More importantly, will England join the party?
Padraic Halpin works on the Reuters sports desk, London
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3 comments so far
They should go the whole hog and arrange the Celtic Cup for every even year. It’s not like they’ll have major tournaments to play in… (sorry! just a joke…)
- Posted by rafawhat is Celtic Cup, anyway?
- Posted by footballwijaa.blogspot.comA celtic cup is like a gordain knot, only it’ll unravel in fron to your eyes.
- Posted by Welsh Goth