Former Rangers star Gordon Smith has knocked plans for the Old Firm to enter an U-21 side in the league following their inevitable switch to the Premiership or a European league. Smith believes Scottish clubs would be unhappy to accept the kind of Old Firm compromise suggested by Ibrox chairman David Murray, which involves fielding a weakened U-21 side against the rest of the SPL's established clubs.
Murray yesterday admitted he was coming round to the belief that Rangers and Celtic would benefit if they joined the English Premiership but continued to feature in the Scottish Premier League with an U-21 side. But Smith is convinced the remaining Scottish sides will not be quick to accept such a deal.
Speaking to Radio Five Live, Smith admitted: "That's a new one to me, before I would have thought they would just go and leave everyone behind. I don't think the teams that are left behind will accept a down-valued Rangers and Celtic. They might think that it's a good thing to do - their under-21 players will get a game - but I'm not sure the other teams will want that."
However Smith concedes it is inevitable that the Old Firm will seek to leave Scotland, either as part of a European league or as part of the Premiership, as they chase more revenue. He added: "I think it's inevitable. I think this is something we have been seeing for some time. We were looking at a new European set-up but there doesn't seem to be a lot of joy. In coming down here they're chasing more money and would get more television rights through the English system. Everyone realises behind the scenes now that they've come out publicly and said that Rangers and Celtic will be continually asked about the progress of this. It's in the public domain now."
Filed by Shane Murray
