Old Firm premiership move will be aided by outside pressures says Celtic's Dermot Desmond

Published on Tuesday 31 August 2010 14:54

Celtic's largest shareholder Dermot Desmond believes the influence media organisations wield will lead to the Old Firm eventually joining England's Premier League.

Last year, Premier League clubs voted to reject a proposal to invite Rangers and Celtic into the English top flight.

However, Desmond believes the decision will one day be taken out of the Premier League's hands.

"What will dictate them joining is the fans and the media companies," the Irishman said in an interview to be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 live later tonight.

"The companies are directing Premier League policy and they'll decide it'll be a good thing if the pair joined."

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside's proposal last year suggested that the Glasgow giants would be part of a two-tier Premier League.

However, Premier League chief executive Peter Scudamore moved quickly to quash any hopes, saying at the time: "As regards to Celtic and Rangers it's a non-starter.

"So we've made a clear and unequivocal statement and we're going to move on from there. No means no."

Desmond proposed a cap on debts and wages at all clubs but believes it may be too late to prevent some going out of business.

"There should be regulations and rules throughout Europe," he said.

"There should be a cap on how much a club can borrow and a cap on wages in relation to its revenue.

"It's important that clubs are not being jeopardised. I'm sure in the next few years we will see some clubs will go out of business."