Ex-Celtic ace O’Neil: Old Firm should sell stadium naming rights

Former Celtic midfielder Brian O’Neil believes it would be a very smart idea for clubs in Scotland to sell the naming rights to their stadiums.

The 39-year old was playing in the German Bundesliga with Wolfsburg in the late 1990s when German clubs began selling their stadium names to sponsors and in the end, it changed the face of football in their country.

O’Neil believes it would be wise for the Old Firm – Celtic and Rangers – as well as other Scottish Premier League clubs to do the same to secure some much-needed additional income.

“The stadium I played in is called Celtic Park, yet most of the supporters call it Parkhead. It’s got two names already and the fans would still call it Parkhead even if it became, for example, the Nike Arena,” he told the Daily Record.

“When it comes to the media side, the stadium would be referred to by the new name but what does that matter if fans still call it Parkhead?

“What does matter in football these days is the commercial world and keeping up with the best.

“I don’t think it would take anything away from Celtic because it’s still a fantastic stadium and if it gives the club extra financial clout to compete at a higher level, why not?

“If Celtic or Rangers were to put a brand name on to their stadium it wouldn’t stop fans calling the grounds Parkhead and Ibrox but it would bring valuable extra income.”

 
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