Old Firm both look south

Rangers chairman David Murray has come out in support of Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond's belief that the future for Glasgow's big two clubs is down south in England.

Murray believes that the possible defection of the Old Firm to the English Premiership could help the financially parlous state of the Scottish game.

"Rangers and Celtic are getting too strong for everybody else," he said. "And there are murmurs now that some of the clubs would prefer it if Rangers and Celtic did not play in Scottish football and then they had a more competitive league.

"I'm slowly coming round to the belief that it would be better if Rangers and Celtic had a team in a Premiership if it became a Premier One and Two - but also retained a team in Scotland with under-21 and four or five over-age players.

"I honestly think that Rangers and Celtic are holding back the other clubs now because financially they cannot compete."

Desmond has previously stated his belief that Celtic should join the Premiership, and he reiterates his views in a Guardian interview published on inside (page 6) today.

Bryan Richardson of Coventry City last night became the first English club chairman to confirm Desmond's opinion that the Old Firm clubs' entry into English football is only a matter of time.

Richardson did not lend wholehearted support to the idea, but said he thinks it is an "inevitability". Coventry, relegated last season, are one of the smaller clubs who could be threatened by the arrival of Scotland's big two, a possibility acknowledged by Richardson.

"At the moment it's a good story put out by Celtic and Rangers," said Richardson. "Ultimately it will not surprise me if it happens. Tthere is a certain inevitability about it, not least because of the massive financial benefits, especially the revenue their games against the big English clubs will command.

"If Celtic and Rangers were to join the Premiership it's not just clubs like Coventry who would be affected. The bigger clubs could also be more at risk because of the increased competition for European places."

Sunderland manager Peter Reid, stressing that he was speaking as an individual rather than for Sunderland FC, said it would be "absolute dynamite if Rangers and Celtic played in the Premiership".

But his excitement was tempered with concern.

"It's important for the Scottish game that they \Celtic and Rangers play in their home country ? You have to think of the rest of Scottish football as well."

Scottish season kick-off and Desmond interview: Page 6