| Celtic Slang |
Details
Reference to: Decline of the parity within intra-city derbies
Derivations: –
Originated: 2000s
Espanyolification
This term was coined in the 2000’s in parallel to the ensuing debacle at Rangers as they headed to their eventual liquidation and termination. Mainly a West of Scotland term used online, but there are varieties likely elsewhere.
Over the 2000’s, leagues across the globe were becoming oligopolies or even just duopolies, e.g. Barca/Real in Spain, Bayern/Dortmund in Germany, PSG/Marseille in France, Man U/Arsenal/Chelsea in England and so on. This had become pretty much institutionalised. The impact was that whilst in the past some cities to mount a challenge found it prudent to have multiple teams, now they were concentrated to one great team with a poorer relation (e.g. Liverpool and Everton).
One reason was simply the economies of scale of one big club side in a city against two. This led to what some term as Espanyolification! The term references Barcelona where actually the city has two main teams but one is dominant and the other is piddling in comparison. This relationship has increased over the years, and the term was espoused by Celtic fans in hope we could do the same to Rangers.
Glasgow seemed to be a exception until Rangers situation dripped through, and despite some up moments, they were a done force entering terminal decline. Death in 2012.
Rangers’ self imposed ineptitude meant that they had handicapped themselves financially which led to their death, and schadenfreude for their predicaments under the new zombie entity Sevco/TheRangers.
Celtic despite hiccups have managed the new environment reasonably well through the first decades of the 21st century, so respect to the Celtic board. Not been easy and the greatest hindrance has been the growing strength of the major leagues above those of the smaller countries.
Is this Espanolification over the rival Glasgow clubs? It has been in Glasgow, but surely hubris will destroy Celtic, so to retain the lead the club must continue to evolve and adapt. The new big Glasgow derby rivalry has renewed the debate about ‘Espanyolification’.
It’s the same practically everywhere even the Milan Derby is a shadow of its old self as both sides have declined. Only possibly that certain of the London derbies still have certain parity but London is a different kettle of fish altogether. Manchester also but for curious reasons to do with billionaire megalomaniacs.
Enjoy the ride.