Only Celtic Benefit From Champions League Progress

06 December 2012 20:10
The boost to finances thanks to Celtic Champions League efforts end now

Celtic have been rightly congratulated for reaching the last 16 of the Champions league by other SPL clubs. However, the only club to benefit financially from the achievement with be Celtic  it had been suggested that the SPL would receive an extra £1m in solidarity payments after the Parkhead side qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament by beating Spartak Moscow 2-1 on Wednesday night. However, it has been confirmed that the SPL's solidarity payments, which rose from £500,000 to £1.5m when Celtic reached the group stages, is as far as it will go. The money will be spread equally between the other 11 clubs but not paid out until next summer at the earliest. Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels, whose side face Celtic on Saturday, says Wednesday's win is a boost for the game in Scotland even if not financially.  Shiels said: "I'm delighted that they've made it and hopefully the country will get behind them. We should be accommodating our European representatives a bit more. Celtic played last night and they have to play at lunchtime on Saturday. I don't think that's fair. It puts a bit of an advantage our way." Hearts manager John McGlynn added: "You've got to give a lot of credit to Neil Lennon and his players; fantastic achievement. They've come through a lot and it's great for Scottish football. It helps the co-efficient and it can only be good for Scottish football. We take enough knocks. I think we should be trying to pat ourselves on the back in some form that one of the SPL clubs have managed to achieve to get to the last 16 of the Champions League."

Source: ScottishFitba

Source: FOOTYMAD