‘No means no’, Scudamore dismisses Old Firm pair
PREMIER League chief executive Richard Scudamore last night told Celtic and Rangers they will never be allowed to join the English top-flight.
A proposal from Bolton chairman Phil Gartside to include the Old Firm pair in a new two-tier structure was overwhelmingly rejected by club chiefs yesterday.
And Scudamore moved to finally bring the on-running debate to an end, insisting: “No means no. The clubs discussed this and, as far as Celtic and Rangers are concerned, it’s a non-starter. The clubs constitutionally voted to say we are not going to take this any further.
“We have made a clear and unequivocal statement. No means no – Celtic and Rangers are not coming in.”
Gartside’s proposals were backed by Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp but failed to win the support of the majority, rejected as neither “desirable or viable”.
Premier League chiefs have not yet, however, ruled out Gartside’s other idea of introducing a two-tier structure, consisting of between 36 and 40 clubs.
This proposal will now be taken forward as part of the league’s wider strategic review.