Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has delivered a stark assessment of Falkirk's capabilities, bluntly stating the League One champions would struggle to make any impact in Scotland's top flight.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the Hoops boss didn't mince his words when asked about Falkirk's prospects following their impressive unbeaten league campaign. "They're a fantastic club with a great history, but let's be honest - the jump from League One to the Premiership is enormous," Rodgers declared.
Quality Gap Too Significant
Rodgers emphasised the vast chasm in quality between divisions, suggesting Falkirk's current squad simply isn't equipped for Premiership football. "You can have a great season in League One, but the Premiership demands a completely different level of player, mentality and resources," he explained.
The Celtic manager's comments come despite Falkirk's remarkable achievement of going through their entire League One season without suffering a single defeat - a feat that captured headlines across Scottish football.
Reality Check for Lower League Optimism
While acknowledging Falkirk's accomplishments, Rodgers provided a sobering perspective on the challenges facing promoted teams. "We've seen it before - teams come up with momentum but quickly realise the weekly demands are on another planet," he noted.
The Northern Irishman's assessment serves as a reality check for those believing lower league dominance automatically translates to top-flight competitiveness. His extensive experience in Scottish football lends significant weight to his evaluation of the divisions' relative strengths.
Focus on Celtic's Own Challenges
Rodgers also took the opportunity to discuss Celtic's upcoming challenges, emphasising the need for continuous improvement despite their domestic successes. "We can't afford to stand still, regardless of what's happening in other divisions," he stated.
The Celtic manager's frank assessment highlights the ongoing debate about competitive balance in Scottish football and the significant hurdles facing clubs attempting to climb through the divisions.
