Desmond: UEFA final may resurrect Premiership move

Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond believes the club’s UEFA Cup final appearance could resurrect talk of a move to the Premiership.

The Old Firm have been constantly linked with a ‘transfer’ from the Bank of Scotland Premier League, and even held unofficial talks with the Nationwide League earlier this season.

Celtic have beaten Blackburn and Liverpool on the way to the final against Porto in Seville and Desmond believes the Old Firm are destined to move away from the SPL.

He said: “I understand the concerns of other Scottish Premier clubs. I think they can well be resolved.

“I understand the concerns of some of the English Premiership clubs. They can be resolved. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

“We are not going to bombard English Premiership clubs and try to knock the door and get in.

“We would like to be invited. If we are not invited, then I don’t think we will be playing there.

“But, if common-sense prevails, I think there will be an opportunity in the next couple of years that Celtic and Rangers could play in the Premiership.”

The ideas of a European Super League have also been floated and Desmond believes “anything is possible”.

He told Scotland Today: “There is no reason why the bigger clubs in Europe cannot play against each other.

“We don’t know, but it will evolve because people get bored with the same product and it has to be changed.

“And people get bored with the same outcomes and the same results.”

But Desmond admits he now has some insight into the emotions of Celtic manager Martin O’Neill as he heads into the final against Porto.

“I know what it is like for a football manager because I’m waking up at night thinking about the match,” said Desmond.

“I prefer Celtic being underdogs because we have had a good season in that position against Liverpool, Blackburn and Celta Vigo. So I hope that form continues.

“We will enjoy this final and let next year and the years after take care of itself.

“We will continue planning for the future at Celtic, but this is a great occasion so let’s savour it and not worry about what is going to happen in the future.”