Lawwell stirs Old Firm debate

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell tonight resurrected the debate surrounding a possible Old Firm move to England.

Glasgow’s big two have, in the past, expressed a desire to join the Premiership but failed to receive encouragement from most chairmen in Scotland.

The controversial debate has since died down but Lawwell revealed Old Firm officials are still confident their dream would come true.

He told Real Radio: “It will happen and the market will prevail but the difficulty is saying when.

“We are not pushing it but we plugged in to what’s happening elsewhere and there is real opportunity for change.

“You’re seeing in Italy clubs going under and difficulties in terms of competition for the top three or four teams in England.

“That is the same in Spain, Italy and Germany – how can you keep that when the strong are getting stronger and the weak are getting weaker?

“In terms of England at the moment attendances are down, the average viewing figures for Sky (television) are down and Match of the Day viewing figures are down.

“Therefore there is a possible opportunity for Celtic and Rangers to take advantage of.

“At the moment there is nothing concrete but is is something we have a duty to look at. There’s a possibility.

“We want to win the Scottish Premier League but for us to maximise our potential we need to be playing in an environment that gets the exposure that is enjoyed in England, Spain and Italy.

“Therefore it would be irresponsible for the board not to look that way.

“Where we are now you would need to exit in a consensus manner and the legislation in England and the hurdles could be overcome but you need someone that wants you.

“That is the challenge whether it is the English Premiership or some other environment that wants Celtic and Rangers to take them on.”

Lawwell claimed playing in the Barclays Premiership would give Celtic the potential to be as big as Spanish giants Real Madrid.

“We want to be back in the European finals,” he continued.

“If we were on a level playing field with Manchester United in terms of the media income then this club would go beyond that. We would become the biggest club in the world.”

Lawwell angrily hit back at supporters who have criticised the club‘s lack of transfer activity this month.

Lawwell said: “We can‘t do anymore with the income we have.

“All that can be done is being done. We are doing all that we can but it is a question of choices.”

The club have given contracts to their existing stars and also the young players he believes are the future of Celtic.

Supporters are concerned manager Martin O‘Neill will lose patience with the lack of money to spend but Lawwell told them the Northern Irishman will stay at the club.

He said: “Martin is the best in the business and Celtic will give Martin every possible bit if backing that it requires to remain at the club that we possibly can.

“He has been fantastic and he has turned the club around and he has got ambition and knows where he wants to go.

“We will do all we can within our powers. I can‘t speak for Martin but Martin at the moment is showing the same commitment to the club as he has over the last three or four years.

“I can‘t speak for Martin in terms of his own plans and ambitions but we will do everything in our power to keep him.”