Old Firm are here to stay, says SPL chief

Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster yesterday remained steadfast in his view that Rangers and Celtic will not be leaving for England.

Celtic's largest shareholder Dermot Desmond recently suggested the influence media organisations wield would lead to the Old Firm eventually joining England's Premier League.

But last year, Barclays Premier League clubs voted to reject a proposal to invite Rangers and Celtic into the English top flight.

And Doncaster was adamant again yesterday that the clubs would be staying in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. He said: "We all have dreams for our clubs but I prefer to live in the day-to-day reality of where we are. Rangers and Celtic are an important part of what we've got in the SPL and I foresee them being here for the foreseeable future.

"They are Scottish clubs and they're in the SPL. They are a fundamental part of Scottish football and I foresee that being the case ad infinitum."