Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter has welcomed the latest investment projects in the Irish League, but says we are a long way from having a full-time league in Northern Ireland.
Baxter says the Irish Premiership landscape has shifted dramatically in the past "three or four" years. "Irish league football in the last three or four years is unrecognisable from what it was 10 years ago. We have seen teams bringing in investment. "I think a lot of the academy football coming through wasn't there 10 years ago. There are huge academies attached to the clubs now, and we have women's football being attached to the football club is another positive.
"Otherwise your league can collapse as soon as it has started. It has to make financial sense for everyone and you need to carry everyone with you.