The financial crisis at Rangers halted plans the Ibrox club were making alongside Celtic to switch the Old Firm to English football.
That’s according to the Scottish Sun, who claims they’ve gained access to a “confidential dossier” detailing secret emails between former Gers chief executive Martin Bain and his Celtic equivalent Peter Lawwell.
They claim the dossier was sent from Lawwell’s assistant Eleanor O’Neill to Louise Barrie, Bain’s assistant, back in 2011.
The report claims that in the paperwork the Old Firm were claiming the move would have a “massive impact” on the game down south whilst making the game up north “more competitive”.
The first section of the report was titled “What would the Old Firm bring to English football?”
“In a media environment craving additional quantity and quality of games, the introduction of Celtic and Rangers into the FA Premier League would have a massive impact on the ability to meet that demand,” reads the proposal according to the Sun.
“The two teams also benefit from a global following similar to that enjoyed by only a few teams in England such as Manchester United and Liverpool.”
The proposal would also discuss making the Scottish Premiership more competitive with the other teams being able to compete for the title.
They’d also, in turn, have a pop at the Champions League, something which has been the preserve of both Old Firm clubs in recent years.
There was also plenty of conversation concerning the impact it would have on Glasgow and Scotland, with global superstars visiting the city on a near-weekly basis.
With meetings scheduled with the likes of Ralph Topping and then SPL chief exec Neil Doncaster, the Old Firm would’ve hoped their proposals would’ve convinced beaks down south about the move.
But according to the Scottish Sun, it was Rangers’ eventual financial collapse in 2011 which prevented either Old Firm side in the Gers or Celtic taking the plans further.
