Aliousland and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has ignited a fierce reaction among football fans after delivering a blunt and controversial assessment of how Celtic and Rangers would fare if they were placed into the English league system.
Speaking on his Fozcast podcast, Foster was asked to weigh in on a long-running debate: whether the two Glasgow giants could successfully compete in the English Championship if they were ever admitted into the pyramid. His answer stunned listeners. Foster claimed that, in his view, both clubs would struggle badly and would be relegated straight away, a statement that left even his co-hosts taken aback.
The ex-shot-stopper, who enjoyed a long career with clubs including Manchester United, Watford, West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City and Wrexham, went even further. He dismissed suggestions that Celtic or Rangers could establish themselves as Premier League title contenders within a decade, insisting such predictions were wildly unrealistic.
Foster also argued that the move would never be approved in the first place. He suggested there would be strong resistance from clubs already in the English system, claiming it would damage Scottish football and intensify competition for Premier League places. According to Foster, English clubs would have little appetite for welcoming two massive institutions capable of disrupting the existing balance.
Expanding on his stance, Foster questioned whether either Celtic or Rangers currently possess squads strong enough to survive, let alone thrive, in the Championship. When it was put to him that both clubs could realistically reach the Premier League’s top six within 15 years, he doubled down, insisting they would struggle from the very beginning.
Unsurprisingly, the comments triggered an immediate backlash from supporters of both Old Firm clubs. Fans flooded social media and comment sections to push back against what they saw as a deeply flawed view.
Some argued that with access to Championship or Premier League-level revenue, Celtic and Rangers would rapidly strengthen and become highly competitive. Others pointed to the sheer size, history and global support of both clubs, claiming few — if any — teams in the Championship could match their fanbases or infrastructure.
Several supporters also accused Foster of misunderstanding how football finances work, suggesting that financial limitations in Scotland — not sporting ability — are the main reason players leave for England. Remove that ceiling, they argued, and both clubs would quickly rise through the divisions.
As the debate rages on, one thing is certain: Foster’s remarks have reignited a long-standing argument and ensured that the question of where Celtic and Rangers would truly rank in English football remains as divisive as ever.
Alious
