A Note to the SPL: Why no Intertoto?

By: Ian Rose | June 8th, 2007

Okay, this is going out to the eight 2006-2007 SPL teams that didn’t qualify for Europe. Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Dunfermline, you are all excused from this. Caley Thistle, as sad as your excuse is, at least it’s an excuse. So that leaves seven of you to answer this question … Why on Earth aren’t you in the Intertoto Cup?

I know that Intertoto is the ugly stepchild of European football. It existed, for most of its history, only for the purposes of satisfying sports gambling habits in the interminably long two months of off-season inflicted upon the European fan. Even its symbol today is a lottery ball. It’s an excuse to gamble … fine, agreed. But it’s also a back door into the UEFA Cup. The eleven third-round match winners in the Intertoto Cup make it to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, a real live actual tournament. And, you don’t even have to qualify to make it in - you just apply, and the top-seeded teams from each country that apply are accepted.

Okay, there are a few of you (St. Mirren comes to mind) that have little chance of winning an Intertoto match. You should probably just concentrate on staying up in the SPL in 2007/2008. But for most of you, this is a total waste of a chance to gain real European experience, or even make a run at the UEFA Cup group stage. In 2006, Hibernian was one goal away from winning their Intertoto 3rd round match and making it. In 2001, Dundee at least gave it a run, losing 5-2 to FK Smederevo from Serbia. Nothing to write home about, but my point is, they tried. They gave their fans a chance to see European competition in Scotland somewhere other than Parkhead or Ibrox (and now, Pittodrie).

Just something to keep in mind this winter … before you book summer concerts by flamboyant former pop stars, check in with the folks over at Intertoto. The SPL is a better league than it gets credit for, and the only way for it to improve (both in reality and reputation) is for SPL teams to get out there and play. Hibs and Hearts, who both missed out on Europe this season, should be especially interested - your stadiums are built for big European tournaments and your fans expect you to be in them. If you don’t make the big ones, don’t just stay home and lick your wounds - Keep trying to get in. The chance to get one more Scottish side in the UEFA Cup is good for your club, good for the SPL, and good for Scotland.

Next year, consider it.