Guarded approach to Celtic, Rangers idea

THE new supremo at the Football Association yesterday gave a cautious thumbs-up to the idea of Celtic and Rangers joining the English Premiership — provided there was general approval for the move.

“It’s important for English football that the Premier League is just that,” said Football Association chief executive Mark Palios.

“What’s good for English football is that the Premier League is as strong as it can be, but it’s not my decision.”

Palios’s remarks come a week after Celtic director Dermot Desmond rekindled the debate over the Old Firm quitting the SPL and moving south, suggesting it would generate in excess of £100m a year for the Premiership in gate receipts, television money and other spin-offs.

“I can see the attraction of it, but I can also see the downside in terms of certain clubs who would feel their position may be put in jeopardy,” said Palios.

“In principle I countenance the idea, but there are a lot of issues to be taken into account.”

To many observers, 50-year-old Palios, a former insolvency expert recruited from PricewaterhouseCoopers and a far more measured and cautious figure than his predecessor, Adam Crozier, has inherited a poisoned chalice. Eighteen months ago, he suffered a double cardiac arrest while playing Sunday league football and hesitated when asked whether he had doubts about becoming the new public face of the FA.

“Yes and no. The communications in this job are desperately difficult. We have to respond better to events, but my closest colleagues said I’d always regret it if I turned the job down.”

With his strong business background and diplomatic approach, Palios, a figure of quiet authority, is unlikely to bruise too many egos in his relationships with the clubs over release of players or his dealings with relevant government departments.

One area of immediate concern, however, is the future of Sven Goran Eriksson, whose contract as England manager ends after the 2006 World Cup. Palios had just started his job when Eriksson was photographed meeting new Chelsea supremo Roman Abramovich, fuelling widespread speculation that the Swede was planning to quit and take over from Claudio Ranieri.

Afterwards, Palios held extensive discussions with Eriksson.