Old Firm entry would require 'fundamental change'

Celtic and Rangers were told today that a seismic shift in the balance of power in English football would be needed to revive their fading hopes of joining Division One.

The Football Association last night confirmed they ‘‘would not sanction’’ the Glasgow giants’ move south of the border, leaving the Old Firm clubs needing a revolution in the make-up of the English game to accommodate their switch.

It now seems that only a breakaway league, operating outside the control of the FA, would enable Celtic and Rangers to move south - but that is a far-fetched, extreme scenario which would dwarf the birth of the Premier League in 1992.

Football League spokesman John Nagle told PA Sport: ‘‘There may be a perfectly understandable desire among some club chairmen to invite Celtic and Rangers into Division One.

‘‘However, the reality is that this would require a fundamental change in the way football is currently governed. At the present time, it is unrealistic to expect such a change to occur.’’

The Premier League also threw further obstacles into the Old Firm’s path to English football, revealing they would be blocked from competing in the top flight if they won promotion from Division One.

‘‘There is no mood among our clubs to change the structure of the Premier League in this way,’’ a spokesman said.

‘‘And, besides which, Premier League rules would prevent Celtic and Rangers gaining entry into our competition from the Football League.

‘‘Nobody would deny that both Celtic and Rangers are clubs of stature and standing - but in the Premier League, we already have 20 great clubs.

‘‘This season has only served to reinforce what a fantastic competition the Premier League is. There is simply no necessity to tamper with the make-up of Europe’s most successful league.’’

Before Christmas, Premier League chairmen staged an informal vote on the Glasgow clubs joining their division. Only one chairman was in favour, with 19 against.

The Football League’s eight-strong board of directors will convene for their scheduled monthly meeting at the organisation’s Connaught Place headquarters in London tomorrow.

The Old Firm issue is not on the agenda, but could be raised by League chief executive David Burns, chairman Keith Harris or the board’s six club chairmen - Bradford’s Geoffrey Richmond, West Brom’s Paul Thompson, Crewe’s John Bowler, Wycombe’s Ivor Beeks, Colchester’s Peter Hurd and Leyton Orient’s Barry Hearn.