Soccer: Premiership shun Old Firm and Phoenix League

The Premier League tonight firmly slammed the door shut on Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers.

They also totally rejected the prospect of a Premier League Second Division, or Phoenix as it was entitled.

Chief executive Richard Scudamore revealed that, although no formal vote was taken, the 20 clubs were unanimous in their feeling that the two Old Firm clubs should not be allowed direct access to the Premiership.

The feeling against a second Premier League decision was 19-1.

But the Premier League review, which is currently being undertaken, will closely examine the issues of financial support for clubs being relegated from the Premiership.

Scudamore said: ‘‘There has been overwhelming dismissal of a Premier League Two. By definition there can be only one Premier League.’’

He added: ‘‘We don’t envisage any circumstances in which Celtic and Rangers would be parachuted into the Premier League.’’