Old Firm deny designs on England

Celtic and Rangers dominate Scottish football finances

Rangers vice-chairman John McClelland has denied that the Old Firm have acted like the "bully boys" of the Scottish Premier League.

He again claimed that his club had no plans to play in the English Premiership, or the Nationwide League.

And he blamed the other 10 clubs for forcing a crisis in order to change the voting rights within the league's corridors of power.

McClelland was responding on behalf of Celtic and Rangers after the other clubs on Tuesday decided to resign from the SPL.

We have no plans to join the English Premiership, or the Football League

Rangers' John McClelland

The other 10 were unhappy that the two Glasgow clubs had voted against plans for the league's own, subscription-based television channel.

But McClelland said that they had been totally within their rights, as Celtic and Rangers did not think that the plan was viable.

"It is unfair to say that we have been bully boys," he said.

"Our share of the distribution of television money is much less than the income we bring to the SPL."

The other clubs accused the Old Firm of having a hidden agenda designed to create for themselves a way out of Scottish football and into the more lucrative English Premiership.

But McClelland insisted: "We have no plans to join the English Premiership, or the Football League.

"That is not part of the agenda. This was a meeting about the television contracts.

"We were surprised because the meeting had gone very, very well up until that point.

He said it was the others who had a hidden agenda of wanting to change the SPL constitution, which at present requires an 11-1 majority for major decisions like television deals.

John McClelland (right) blames the other 10

"I think it's fair to say they would like a different structure and I understand that, but I don't think the way it has been approached is the right way," said the man second in command to David Murray.

"We would have been happy to have had some discussion about that but there was none.

"It is a serious issue, but we have a long time to discuss it and get it resolved."

The other 10 clubs had to give a two-year notice period before leaving and the Old Firm appear confident that something will be resolved before then.

Celtic chief executive Ian McLeod added: "It is inconceivable in two years' time that Celtic will have nobody to play in Scottish football.

"We gave them an opportunity to continue the dialogue, but they seemed very intent on this purpose."