Old Firm urged to talk

The Old Firm have been linked with a move to England

Livingston chairman Dominic Keane has urged the Old Firm to return to the Premier League negotiating table.

Celtic and Rangers are at the centre of further reports of a move to the Nationwide League.

But the Almondvale chief believes more discussion can resolve the war of words between the Old Firm and the rest of the SPL.

"The 10 clubs outside of the Old Firm are not going to add anything more to what have been major leaks," said Keane.

"It's better to wait and see if anything comes out of the latest developments.

We all want the league to stay strong and both Rangers and Celtic can help

Dundee United manager Alex Smith

"I still urge the Old Firm to come and talk to us over the next few days and I think that is the appropriate message at this time.

"We don't know what to believe or not to believe but, hopefully, things will resolve themselves over the next couple of weeks, and once that happens we can then go forward.

"Rangers chairman David Murray has been quoted as saying we should get round the table and talk and I would be delighted about that.

"If David wants to sit down with the 10 clubs then we'll be more than happy to do so.

"I genuinely understand the problems the Old Firm have and have great sympathy with them but Scottish football has to be bigger than that."

Meanwhile, Dundee United manager Alex Smith has warned Rangers and Celtic that life in England would be tough.

"The Nationwide is a hard league to get out of," said Smith.

"It's not all about glamour and they will not win every week as there are plenty of big clubs that can't get out of it.

"It won't be a rosy situation for them, and I hope they stay in Scotland - I think they have a big responsibility to the rest of the game here.

"We all want the league to stay strong and both Rangers and Celtic can help.

Alex Smith doesn't want to see the Old Firm go

"If we lost the Old Firm, Scotland loses virtually a whole city football-wise.

"The Nationwide clubs are not interested in Scottish football and it's my feeling they are only interested in a TV deal for themselves."

Hearts head coach Craig Levein is concerned the latest twist in the Old Firm saga will threaten hopes of a more settled financial future for SPL clubs with a new television deal.

"The news about the Old Firm over the weekend will maybe scare television companies away," said Levein.

"It certainly makes my job more difficult, and it's a crazy situation, but we can't do anything about it.

"The only certainty at this moment is the uncertainty."