By Ben Nicholson
October 28 – Rumors are growing that Scottish giant Celtic FC is looking into the possibility of creating a franchise club in the North American Soccer League (NASL). Initial talks allegedly have already been held between the league and club representatives.
This would be to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City who have a US counterpart in the MLS, New York City FC.
The NASL is currently considered a Division 2 league, whereas the MLS is Division 1. The two leagues operate independently and have no promotion/relegation relationship.
MLS is the more prestigious, harboring bigger names and better talent, but the NASL is hoping to expand and challenge their superiority, hence the NASL talking of a legal challenge against the U.S.Soccer Federation for changing the criteria for division sanctioning.
The NASL consists of eleven teams and has plans to reach twenty by 2018. The twelfth team to enter the league will be Miami FC, owned by entrepreneur Riccardo Silva and Italian and Milan legend Paolo Maldini, who will likely be competing against Beckham’s prospective MLS franchise for fans and attention.
Celtic, who has played in US on pre-season preparations in recent years, is indicating a desire to increase its global presence. Not only is the club linked with expansion into the US but also similar talk has suggested movement into Asia.
Celtic already has links with India via its Celtic Club Partnership Programme, whereby coaching staff travel to Goa to work with players, and via a partnership with The Mahinda Group whereby Celtic coaches travel to India to coach youth players.
Celtic’s manager Ronnie Delia is in the dark about any such expansion, though, according to his comments post-game over the weekend: “I don’t know anything about those things. It has to come from other places,” he said. “I think I should keep concentrating on the team and others can talk about that.”
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