Just saw this on soccernet. Might be a good thing as we MAY win something then.

Celtic Cup could kick-off next year

A Celtic Cup featuring Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could start next year, according to Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith.

Representatives from the four national associations met this week to discuss the plan.

Smith claims there are 'positive vibes' from each nation and Scotland boss Alex McLeish has given his approval for the proposed tournament, which could take place in alternate years.

Smith told the Scottish Daily Mail: 'We had another meeting in Cardiff on Monday and are getting some answers on the issues surrounding a tournament like this, in terms of dates, sponsorship and TV.

'I have spoken with Alex McLeish and we are keen. One of the attractions is the semi-competitive nature of it after our success at the Kirin Cup in Japan last year.

'It could even start in 2008 or the year after at the latest - if we all reach agreement.'

The meeting failed to iron out whether the format will be a knockout competition or a league system.

'So there is debate taking place but there are positive vibes from the four countries involved,' Smith said.

'Friendly dates from FIFA are available in August, November and February, so those could be used.

'And it could be every two years to keep space for other friendlies.

'We are getting answers and we will meet again in a few weeks.'

Just saw this on soccernet. Might be a good thing as we MAY win something then.

Celtic Cup could kick-off next year

A Celtic Cup featuring Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could start next year, according to Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith.

Representatives from the four national associations met this week to discuss the plan.

Smith claims there are 'positive vibes' from each nation and Scotland boss Alex McLeish has given his approval for the proposed tournament, which could take place in alternate years.

Smith told the Scottish Daily Mail: 'We had another meeting in Cardiff on Monday and are getting some answers on the issues surrounding a tournament like this, in terms of dates, sponsorship and TV.

'I have spoken with Alex McLeish and we are keen. One of the attractions is the semi-competitive nature of it after our success at the Kirin Cup in Japan last year.

'It could even start in 2008 or the year after at the latest - if we all reach agreement.'

The meeting failed to iron out whether the format will be a knockout competition or a league system.

'So there is debate taking place but there are positive vibes from the four countries involved,' Smith said.

'Friendly dates from FIFA are available in August, November and February, so those could be used.

'And it could be every two years to keep space for other friendlies.

'We are getting answers and we will meet again in a few weeks.'

I am all for it, as long as they include the other Celtic Nation , Cornwall!!

I might sound a little bit crazy, but there is a growing movement in Cornwall to get some form of recgnition.

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/grahamhart/ccga.htm

Anyway, there have been plenty of good footballers from Cornwall, and there are still a few playing at the present time in the football leagues and higher echelons of the Non League pyramid.

On a serious note though, this sounds like a good idea to me, and it's a shame that the original Home Nations was abolished. It could have been refrmatted with the inclusion of say Republic of Ireland and France to mirror the rugby competitin, but as the FA have got there heads buried so far up their own backsides, it's pretyy unlikely that England would get involved.

I suppose it could be a good thing if it replaces pointless friendlies against teams like Austria and Jamaica. But in saying that, to make the tournament exciting, it really needs England in it.

Lets be honest, we would all love the Home Nations to come back in some form. I think Englan would actually benefit from it, rather than take the previous snobby FA view that it wasn't up to the standard to justify it. As far as the police are concerned, they should be told to keep thier noses out of the trough and do what they are paid to do, rather than tell the genuine football fans and players that they can't play these games on safety grounds.