Yorkston counters TV claims

John McClelland is confident of a new TV deal

Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston has said that he is unaware of a new SPL TV deal for the coming season despite reports from the Old Firm that a broadcasting contract would be in place soon.

Old Firm back down

New Rangers chairman John McClelland admitted over the weekend that the Glasgow clubs had conceded ground to the other 10 clubs in the Scottish Premier League in an attempt to win a television deal for the coming season.

Indeed, McClelland was confident that a new television deal could be brokered before the new term kicks off, with BBC Scotland believed to have offered a £12m two-year deal to screen games.

But Yorkston, who has openly criticised the Old Firm since the collapse of SPL TV in April, maintains he knows nothing about such plans with the new season just under four weeks away.

Nobody has come to me about any new deal

John Yorkston

Yorkston said: "This is frustrating. I'm aware of what John McClelland has said but nobody has come to me about any new deal.

"We have had on-going discussions about this subject, yet the first time I knew about this is when it appeared in some newspapers.

"I want to hear something concrete. There is not a lot of time before the season begins," he told the Daily Record.

Shirt sponsorship

Meanwhile, the Old Firm will be looking for new shirt sponsors after cable TV operators Ntl: revealed they would not be renewing their deal when it expires next summer.

Regional director of Ntl: Ian Jeffers said: "Ntl:'s four-season shirt sponsorship with the Old Firm finishes at the end of the 2002/3 season and we wish them both continued success."

It is thought that both teams could be set to enter another joint shirt sponsorship deal.

The clubs first shared the same shirt sponsor in the 1980's when CR Smith had their name on the front of both Old Firm strips.

Celtic's Branding Director David McNally revealed that they may look at a similar deal over the coming months.

He said: " It's fair to say that having a joint deal is an option we would consider.

"We need to be aware of the needs of any potential sponsors but branding Celtic and Rangers together may well be economically viable for a sponsor.

"I avn only speak for Celtic and we are a major international brand.

"We have already drawn up a list of potential sponsors," he added.