The Scottish Premier League revealed today they would not stand in the way of the Old Firm if they wanted to join the Nationwide League. The news follows the announcement yesterday that all SPL clubs, except for the Old Firm, plan to leave the league in two year’s time as a result of the Old Firm’s refusal to agree on the SPL TV deal, which consequently collapsed.
An SPL spokesman said, “The SPL rules state that for any club to leave the league two complete seasons of notice must be served. What the clubs do thereafter is their own concern.”
These developments seem to point towards the Old Firm joining the Nationwide League, a move that has been on the cards since the Premiership made it clear they weren't interested in the Old Firm in December. And Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond today gave Glasgow's big two fresh hope of joining the Nationwide League when he told the Scottish Daily Mail, “There has been no approach by either Rangers or Celtic to the Nationwide League.
“The Premiership made it clear they weren't interested in the Old Firm in December. The only way Celtic and Rangers can get there, therefore, is via the Football League. I have no doubt that the vast majority of the chairmen here would welcome Celtic and Rangers, for obvious reasons.
“The rules would probably have to be changed to parachute both clubs into Division One, but I think there is overwhelming support in favour of their application to do that. It would have to be approved by both the SPL and SFA - but after yesterday's events I imagine that would now be forthcoming.”
Filed by Johnny Proby
