Old Firm eyed Division Three move

Advocaat and O'Neill were united in wanting a move to English football

Dick Advocaat claims Celtic and Rangers tried to join the English League's bottom tier at the start of the decade.

The Dutchman, who was manager of Rangers between 1998 and 2001, revealed that he had talks with then Celtic manager Martin O'Neill.

"When I was manager, we tried with Martin O'Neill and the boards from both sides," he told BBC Sport.

"That was already spectacular, to go into the English League, not at the top but starting in the Third Division."

Advocaat was speaking as he was waiting to hear who his Zenit St Petersburg side will face in the Champions League group stages.

And the former Ibrox boss, who will lead his Russian champions and Uefa Cup winners out against Manchester United in Friday's European Supercup, believes that the Old Firm's ambitions were ended by English clubs who feared the Glasgow's pair's buying power and potential.

English top-tier clubs voted against allowing the Old Firm into the Premier League and, after the Glasgow clubs turned their attention to the then Nationwide League, the English FA ruled that out too in 2002.

"They did not allow us to discuss that or talk about it because they are scared of us," said Advocaat, who left Ibrox in 2002 after a season as director of football.

"Definitely, otherwise what was the problem if we came in at the Third Division?"

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Most Scottish Premier League clubs also appeared to be against a move south of the Border by the Old Firm because they feared a loss of revenue.

"The other Scottish clubs I don't understand, because they had the chance to play in the Champions League like Rangers and Celtic," added Advocaat.