Celtic and Rangers should be allowed to play in the FA Cup to give the competition a new lease of life, according to former St Johnstone striker Graham Cummins.
The English national cup competition has been devalued in recent years with most of the top clubs in the English Premier League playing weakened teams in the FA Cup and prioritising the league. But former Irish striker Cummings - who played for Preston North End before moving to St Johnstone for a two-year spell - reckons he knows exactly what would help the ailing tournament...inviting the Old Firm to play in the FA Cup.
Cummins said: "No matter how much I hear or read ‘the magic of the cup’ over the next couple of days, I won’t be conned into the notion that the FA Cup is still a trophy of value. The FA Cup is in desperate need of being revamped.
"The notion of Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers joining the English league is constantly floated around, but it doesn’t seem feasible anytime soon. However, could it be possible to allow access to the FA Cup for the Old Firm? Not just for the benefit of the Scottish clubs, but also to help a dying competition.
"Having Celtic and Rangers involved in the FA Cup would certainly have people talking and would surely rejuvenate supporters' interest. It might also help to some degree help settle the debate of whether or not Celtic and Rangers would be good enough for English football."
Scottish clubs were a regular fixture in the FA Cup in the 19th century and Queen's Park reached the final two years in a row in 1884 and 1885. Rangers reached a semi final and Partick Thistle reached the fifth round. But the last Scottish club to play in the competition was Gretna 21 years ago when they played in the English non-leagues.
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