CELTIC AND RANGERS competing in the same league as England’s biggest clubs is an “inevitable” prospect and could happen within the next decade, according to Dermot Desmond.
The majority shareholder of Celtic is of the belief such a switch would be beneficial to clubs on both sides of the border and feels the two Glasgow sides are already inside the biggest 10 clubs in the United Kingdom.
Ronny Deila’s Scottish champions have failed to progress to the Champions League group stage for the second straight season, while Rangers are in the Championship after they were unable to win promotion last year as they continue their bid to return to the top level after being relegated to the fourth tier following financial meltdown in 2012.
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Celtic suffered an early elimination from the Champions League for the second successive season with defeat to Malmo. Jeff Holmes / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Jeff Holmes / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
A lack of comparable television revenue is often cited as a reason for Scottish clubs’ struggles to progress in Europe and rival Premier League sides for playing talent.
Such a move for Scotland’s Old Firm rivals has been mooted before but was shelved in 2009 after discussions between Premier League chairmen resulted in a consensus against the switch.
Desmond, though, is confident change will be back on the agenda in the near future and is almost certain Celtic and Rangers will be facing the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in what he called a “British Premiership” before 2025.
The Old Firm clubs have long been linked with plying their trade outside of Scotland. Lynne Cameron / PA Archive/PA Images
Lynne Cameron / PA Archive/PA Images / PA Archive/PA Images
“We would like to compete in the Holy Grail in England,” he told Sky Sports. “It will bring money into Scotland and rekindle football in Scotland having United, Arsenal and others.
“Maybe it is going to be 10 years but I think it is inevitable. Rangers and Celtic are among the top 10 teams in Britain and some of the biggest teams in the world – they should be competing at the highest level.
I am taking a 10-year view, what we see in the English Premiership today I don’t think will be around in 10 years time, I think there will be a British Premiership. I think it is inevitable there will be changes.”
'I think it's inevitable there will be a British Premiership with Celtic and Rangers'
CELTIC AND RANGERS competing in the same league as England’s biggest clubs is an “inevitable” prospect and could happen within the next decade, according to Dermot Desmond.
The majority shareholder of Celtic is of the belief such a switch would be beneficial to clubs on both sides of the border and feels the two Glasgow sides are already inside the biggest 10 clubs in the United Kingdom.
Ronny Deila’s Scottish champions have failed to progress to the Champions League group stage for the second straight season, while Rangers are in the Championship after they were unable to win promotion last year as they continue their bid to return to the top level after being relegated to the fourth tier following financial meltdown in 2012.
A lack of comparable television revenue is often cited as a reason for Scottish clubs’ struggles to progress in Europe and rival Premier League sides for playing talent.
Such a move for Scotland’s Old Firm rivals has been mooted before but was shelved in 2009 after discussions between Premier League chairmen resulted in a consensus against the switch.
Desmond, though, is confident change will be back on the agenda in the near future and is almost certain Celtic and Rangers will be facing the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in what he called a “British Premiership” before 2025.
“We would like to compete in the Holy Grail in England,” he told Sky Sports. “It will bring money into Scotland and rekindle football in Scotland having United, Arsenal and others.
I am taking a 10-year view, what we see in the English Premiership today I don’t think will be around in 10 years time, I think there will be a British Premiership. I think it is inevitable there will be changes.”
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Scottish Premiership Dermot Desmond Glasgow Celtic FC Glasgow Rangers Old Firm