Architect behind Atlantic League attacks Celtic’s lack of competitiveness, makes ‘gravy train’ claim

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The man behind the Atlantic League plans has criticised Celtic for their lack of ambition and competitiveness on the European stage.

During the 2020/21 season, Andrew Doyle proposed a multi-nation league format involving clubs from Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia. It was regarded as a way for the top teams in these countries to be more competitive in European competition instead of getting nowhere in the Champions League.

It was reported that the proposed league would generate £350m of income and was given the backing of investment bank JP Morgan and UEFA’s Aleksandr Ceferin at the time.

However, Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond was against the idea and made it clear he was not interested in seeing the Hoops play in the unprecedented proposed competition.

And now, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Doyle has slammed Celtic for being content with remaining in the Scottish Premiership and winning domestic titles without much of a fight.

The Shelbourne vice-chairman also thinks with the advent of the new Champions League format set to guarantee even more millions to Celtic and/or Rangers every season, there’s very little chance of seeing the Hoops join an Atlantic breakaway league in the near future.

Andrew Doyle comes after Celtic

Andrew Doyle was asked if his plans could be brought to life given what A22 are trying to achieve with a European Super League.

He replied: “Yes it could, of course, but Celtic would have to want to be competitive in Europe and my guess is they’re perfectly happy being at the top of a depreciating SPFL forever and then being perennially uncompetitive in the Champions League.

“It’s a gravy train and they’re on it. The new UEFA Champions League format is even better for them more European games equals even more European money for them.

“Our structure would have passed all reasonable UEFA criteria because it benefited all stakeholders, not just Celtic and Rangers, in Scotland’s case. So long as the current system remains and Scotland’s place in the UEFA access list remains relatively high, Celtic are most unlikely to go for it.

“I think they’ll be very happy to continue winning the Premiership more years than not, where they’ll gain automatic access to the round of 32 and then get hockeyed there, but still get all that European cash.

“That, of course, ensures that Scottish football remains hopelessly uncompetitive, because no one can match Celtic’s cash.”