Rangers will leave Scottish game within decade, says Bain

Published on Thursday 8 October 2009 22:38

RANGERS chief executive Martin Bain believes his club will not be playing in Scottish football in ten years' time.

The debate over where the Old Firm should play has been reopened after Bain's counterpart at Celtic, Peter Lawwell, said that his club needs to be exposed to a bigger market – and take a share of a more lucrative broadcasting deal – to be able to compete with the bigs guns.

"We're looking for an opportunity to participate in an environment that gives us that global exposure," Lawwell told the BBC. "If we had the TV rights value that you get in England, then there is no barrier for Celtic."

Later in the day, Bain jumped aboard with the prediction that the Ibrox side will quit Scottish football within a decade – although he sees a European league as a more likely scenario than the Old Firm being invited to join the English Premier.

Asked if he thought Rangers would have moved on to new pastures ten years from now. Bain replied: "I do. I think there is going to be a fundamental change in football somewhere along the line. We have to be at the forefront of football in order to be invited to the party.

"If the Premier League or a lower league want us and the arithmetics are right, and it's right for the club as a brand, then it's something we will explore."

Bain added: "There are a number of like-minded clubs like Rangers and Celtic throughout Europe – big, big clubs playing in smaller leagues – who are hamstrung by their environment. As that groundswell grows, UEFA will take note of it and that will maybe lead to other things."

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster said he does not believe that English clubs have any appetite to take the Old Firm on board – and he would be against losing his organisations two biggest members.

"I don't see any huge desire for change in most clubs within the UK," said Doncaster. "He (Lawwell) indicated he would wait for an invitation to join and, as far as I'm aware, no invitation has been forthcoming."