Old Firm will not play in Premier League, says Richard Scudamore

Published on 14/01/2013 13:56

RANGERS and Celtic will not be admitted into the Barclays English Premier League, according to its chief Richard Scudamore.

• English Premier League chief Richard Scudamore says Rangers and Celtic will not be permitted to English top flight

• Both teams have again brought up long-held ambition to compete in England

As the Old Firm sides spoke earlier this week of plans to emigrate south of the border to English football’s top flight, Scudamore has once again quelled speculation of a deal to make room for the two Glasgow clubs.

“It’s only my 14th year of answering this question. No!

“Quite a lot of clubs around the world would like to join the Premier League (but) the only clubs we are going to take are those promoted from the Championship.

“Our rules say it is only clubs from England and Wales and I don’t see that ever changing.

“European teams from various leagues, the Scots and other people (have asked about joining the Premier League). There are always ideas. I get an idea a day coming into our office about how to improve the Premier League and it’s all very flattering but it’s not going to happen.”

Scudamore’s comments come as Rangers chief Charles Green last week threatened to leave the Scottish game if proposed league reforms in Scotland went ahead, while Celtic counterpart Peter Lawell is also open to the possibility of moving the Parkhead club out of the Scottish game.

Green had also cited the example of Swansea and Cardiff as non-English teams who compete in England.