Celtic and Rangers will continue to battle it out for the Scottish Premier League crown after talks of a proposed move to England were brushed aside at a meeting between the English Football Association and Premier League earlier today.
The concept of Scotland’s ‘Big Two’ competing for silverware south of the border had been suggested by Bolton Wanderers Chairman, Phil Gartside, with the possibility of Glasgow’s best plying their trade in an English Premier League 2.
However, England’s footballing hierarchy refused to endorse the move which would have resulted in major restructuring of the league setup in football’s ‘home nation’.
The outcome of today’s meeting will no doubt be met with a negative response from both halves of the Old Firm, who saw a move to England as the gateway to success on the higher European level, and to long-term financial prosperity.
The SPL, meanwhile, welcomed the decision which sees Scotland hold on to its biggest assets. A spokesman for the league’s governing body expressed his delight after the conclusion of this afternoon’s deliberations:
“Rangers and Celtic are massive assets to the SPL and a vital part of the Scottish footballing landscape.
“Both clubs will continue to make an important contribution to the development of our league.
“We have a new Chairman and Chief Executive in position, and with that there is a fresh impetus to build upon the work that has already been done in the SPL to reinvigorate Scottish football.”
