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Tuesday, 21 May, 2002, 11:07 GMT 12:07 UK
English fear Old Firm fans
Referee Hugh Dallas was struck by a coin at an Old Firm game
Some Barclaycard Premiership clubs would block any attempt by the Old Firm to join England's top league because they fear crowd trouble inspired by the Glasgow giants.
Premiership spokesman Don Johnson revealed that concerns about supporters was just one of the reasons why clubs in his organisation would thwart any attempt by Celtic and Rangers to win promotion via the Nationwide League. His remarks follow the disclosure by Rangers commercial director Martin Bain that talks are planned with the Scottish and English Football Associations to discuss a move to England's First Division. Celtic and Rangers are seeking a way out of Scottish football as they attempt to increase their revenue.
But Johnson told The Herald: "There are also issues about security. Rangers and Celtic do attract a certain element of support which some clubs would not welcome back into the English game.
"Our rules don't allow for clubs outside England and Wales to join our competition. "It would require a two-thirds majority vote to change things and that's just not on the cards. "We already think we have possibly the best domestic league in the world and we place a premium value on that." He pointed out that Chelsea chairman Ken Bates had said that "even if Celtic and Rangers joining the Premiership were to increase revenue, which we don't think it would, then all that would mean is that the extra money would go to them. "I can see the attraction in them wanting to come down here, but there is no similar attraction for us. "That's no disrespect to Rangers or Celtic. Everyone knows they are big clubs with a great history in their own league and in European competitions.
"From the feedback we're getting, the demand for it just isn't there." Bain had told the Daily Record: "It has been widely portrayed that the Nationwide League said 'no' to the Old Firm last week. That is not the case. "In fact, the statements released in England last week indicated to us that it is universally accepted that there is now a need for change, but to make that change we have to talk. "We will now sit down with the SPL, the SFA, the English FA and the Nationwide League to work out what is the best way forward for the game throughout the whole of the UK. "The only way to make progress is through discussions. Rangers want conciliatory talks - not conflict."
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