James McFadden reacts to Sky wanting ‘four’ Celtic-Rangers games amid ‘mental’ SPFL plan

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The split is around the corner, as the final Glasgow derby of the 2024/25 season will take place.

Across the board, there have been some eye-catching and typically all-action Celtic and Rangers matches this season in all competitions.

The standout was, of course, Celtic’s stunning League Cup final win over Rangers at Hampden in December.

The domestic cup matches are broadcast on Premier Sports, and that depends on whether the two teams are drawn up against each other, which hasn’t happened in this season’s Scottish Cup, as Celtic chase the Treble.

But there is always the guarantee of four Glasgow derby matches in the Premiership – all of which are broadcast on Sky Sports, and that’s the money-maker game for Scottish football.

However, the SPFL’s recent suggestion of wanting a possible ten-man league, or even go the other way and have 16, could change things.

• READ MORE: John Hartson completely disagrees with possible SPFL call that would affect Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic

James McFadden responds to Sky Sports possibly wanting ‘four’ Celtic-Rangers matches amid possible league change

If more teams are added to the SPFL, then you wonder if there would be a split, and even four Glasgow derby matches in total for the season.

James McFadden, who is a pundit for Sky Sports, stated that he would like a ’16-team’ league, rather than the ‘mental’ idea of the SPFL possibly reducing it to ten.

Celtic fan and former youth player, Paul Slane, then questioned, ‘how do you get four Glasgow derbies into that?’.

And, whilst McFadden questioned why there is a need for that many Celtic-Rangers matches, he still thinks there could be a split, even with a 16-man league, as he told Open Goal.

“No, I don’t see any sense in it,” said McFadden. “Who is it that come up with it? It’s mental. We have had a ten-team league. We need a bigger league.

“I think you have got enough potential in a bigger league (16 teams). There are good teams in the Championship. There are good clubs as well, with a good following, that I think would enhance a bigger league.

Paul Slane then asked: “How do you get four Glasgow derbies in that?”

McFadden responded: “Why do you need four Glasgow derbies?” Slane then added: “Is that not what they are saying with Sky, though?”

Si Ferry then added: “Because Sky pay the money.”

McFadden then stated: “You would have some sort of split, is what we have, and I know people have been critical of the split before.

“I think it shows that it brings drama to this point of the season. A lot of the time there are games that mean nothing. But you can have that in a ten-team league as well.”

Celtic’s title party at Ibrox?

Celtic’s title party was supposed to happen in Perth and then against Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon, but defeats have disrupted that.

Sky Sports don’t usually broadcast Celtic or Rangers home games, but because they thought the title could be won against Killie, the game will be live on Sky at Saturday lunchtime.

Unfortunately, there will be no party, but beat Killie and if Rangers lose their game at Aberdeen on Sunday, then it’s title number 55 for Scotland’s most successful club.

But even if that doesn’t happen, there is always the possibility of the title being won at Ibrox after the split. Imagine that?!