Premier League rejects Old Firm entry
The Celtic and Rangers proposal has been rejected by the Premier League
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Thursday, 12, Nov 2009 04:12
By Alistair Potter.
The Premier League has rejected a proposal brought forward by Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Garside to allow Rangers and Celtic to compete in the English leagues.
Discussions took place at a meeting of top-flight chairmen today over a proposal for a two-tier Premier League structure, which would include the two Old Firm rivals.
However, after looking into the possibility of incorporating the two Glasgow giants into the league south of the border it was decided the option "was not desirable or viable".
In a statement, the Premier League said: "Bolton Wanderers submitted a discussion paper detailing ideas concerning the restructuring of the Premier League into two tiers with the inclusion of Celtic and Rangers.
"The clubs welcomed the additional input into an ongoing process, however, they were of the opinion that bringing Celtic and Rangers into any form of Premier League set-up was not desirable or viable.
"The other relevant ideas contained within Bolton's paper will now be taken forward as part of the wider strategic review being undertaken by the Premier League since November 2008 with the aim of providing recommendations before December 2010."
The introduction of Rangers and Celtic to an English league has been backed by some high-profile Premier League managers, including Aston Villa and former Bhoys manager Martin O'Neill and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.
The plan is also not without precedent after Cardiff City and Wrexham were both allowed to withdraw from their respective Welsh leagues in the past to join the English divisions.
However, this came before the professional era and was viewed with far less scepticism than such a move would be now.
The alternative viewpoint is that the introduction of the Scottish-based Old Firm rivals would the first step to the creation of a Europe-wide 'super league' involving clubs from several different countries, further preventing the redistribution of wealth in football.