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25th Oct 2015

Celtic could be about to launch a new team in the US

Tom Victor

After wrapping up a fourth successive league title last season, Celtic are setting up for a new challenge.

No, they’re not readying themselves for a run at the Europa League (though that would be nice) – they’re looking much further afield, at the United States.

The Scottish giants have a substantial following Stateside, and the BBC report that the club, who played a friendly against Real Madrid in Philadelphia as recently as 2012, have their sights set on a franchise club in the US.

But they wouldn’t be looking at joining MLS. Instead, the target would be the North American Soccer League (NASL), the country’s second tier, where current teams include Raul’s New York Cosmos.

South China vs New York Cosmos during the AET Lunar New Year Cup 2015 at the Hong Kong Stadium on 19 February 2015 in Hong Kong, China. Photo by Victor Fraile / Power Sport Images

The NASL is expanding from its current 11 teams in the years to come, and there will be space for the Bhoys to get involved if they see it as a viable option.

But with no promotion and relegation in the US, it is unclear whether a spot in the second tier would provide the opportunities that the Glasgow club are after.