21 Sep 2009Old Firm switch back on the agenda

Football Clubs News | Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

English Premier League executives will once more discuss plans to restructure the competition at a meeting later this year, it has been confirmed.

According to BBC Sport, the concept of a two-tier system featuring Scotland's Old Firm - Celtic and Rangers - playing against English teams will be back on the agenda in November.

Earlier this year, Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside proposed a new league system involving two divisions of 18 teams, which would see the two Glasgow clubs play south of the border.

UEFA has already said it would not oppose the switch, although it would also require the backing of the English Premier League, the FA, the English Football League, the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish FA.

BBC Sport indicates that both Celtic and Rangers would welcome the move, which would bring the Old Firm's 11-year dominance of the Scottish Premier League to an end.

A total of 18 teams have taken part in the Scottish Premier League since it was founded in 1998, but only Celtic (six) and Rangers (five) have won the title.

Written by Terry Mitchell

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