PM David Cameron backs Rangers and Celtic move to Premier League

[Steve1872 4]

A sensational new bid by Rangers and Celtic to join English ­football is receiving top-secret backing from Prime Minister David Cameron, writes the Sunday People.

Sunday People Sport can ­reveal that Number 10 is ­taking a ­â??massive interestâ?? in the ­potential switch of the Scottish giants.

Cameronâ??s surprise part in the controversial move is two-fold:

* Because of fears over safety if the Glasgow clubs go into Englandâ??s lower leagues and â??swampâ?? small grounds with their massive support.

* And, bizarrely but ­significantly, to catch votes in the upcoming vote on Scottish independence.

Two major powerbrokers ­involved in the process confirmed that ­meetings have taken place ­recently with Cameron and other leading figures. And the Prime Ministerâ??s team are planning to pull strings to make the move happen sooner rather than later.

Both Rangers and Celtic have tried to find ways of coming to England in the past few years, only to run into resistance.

Rangers â?? under the leadership of Yorkshireman Charles Green â?? have even looked at joining the Conference.

 

PM: David Cameron has his reasons for welcoming the Scottish giantsPA

And Celtic were manoeuvring to join the Football League at the third tier a year ago â?? as we exclusively revealed. Until now the gameâ??s authorities have found ways of stopping the border ­raiders coming to England despite many clubs ­welcoming it for financial reasons.

But if Cameron and his government allies can help persuade the leaders of the FA, Premier League and Football League behind the scenes it could be breakthrough time.

One prominent figure, who wishes to remain anonymous, insists Rangers and Celtic have â??never had a better chanceâ? of coming to England because of the political climate. He said: â??This is a major issue and the talks have gone all the way to the very top.

â??There would be huge potential ­problems if Rangers decided to buy their way into a Conference club. It is something they are openly talking about.

â??Could you imagine thousands of their fans turning up at tiny grounds and all of the policing and security problems that would cause.

â??That is a major worry for Cameron and that has been pointed out in ­discussions about what would happen in those circumstances.

â??And, of course, there is the vote on independence which is currently splitting Scotland and putting Cameron under pressure as the Queen would see the union being broken up on his watch.

â??Rangers fans are squarely behind the unionist cause and will always wave the flag. But if Celtic were to be playing in England it might prove to their fans that they should be British. This may sound strange to people in England but there are hundreds of ­thousands of votes here â?? and football is at the middle of a lot of debates up here.â?

 

Hot Scot: Rangers coach McCoist celebrates with the league trophyPA

The Conference issue could be kicked into touch, as fresh moves are being talked about among Championship ­chairmen to find a way of bringing Rangers and Celtic into the second tier.

One top source confirmed: â??It is the only sensible solution. We all know the clubs want to come here and would do virtually anything to make it happen. It would be very difficult under the present rules. But there are moves afoot. Any government support could only help.â?

One scenario is that the larger clubs in the Championship form a breakaway â?? in effect Premier League Two â?? and invite Rangers and Celtic to the party.

It would only take a year to set up, which would no doubt meet with ­approval in high places, where a deal BEFORE the Scottish independence vote in September 2014 is seen as crucial.

The most drastic plan would be for Celtic or Rangers to BUY a Conference side, or a struggling League One or League Two club, but this would also increase government safety concerns.

Such an option could see the ­astonishing prospect of Rangers and Celtic moving lock stock and barrel to England before eventually returning to Ibrox and Parkhead.

The Scots giants are even willing to pay to come to England â?? with talk of a£15million bounty each which would go to Football League clubs who could lose out.

But those amounts would be peanuts compared to the money that would roll in from TV revenue when they reach the Premier League promised land.

Top clubs in England pocket in the region of £60m each from TV rights â?? that figure will be closer to £100m from next season when an astonishing­Â£3billion new deal kicks in.

Celtic, in contrast, pick up £2.4m for winning the Scottish league

[BEARGER 1,829]

Bit early for April fools.

[ian1964 10,415]

[54andcounting 0]

Cameron?....excuse the French, but he's a fuckin' prick

[Blue Moon 1,113]

Cameron?....excuse the French, but he's a fuckin' prick

 

Cannot argue with that.

[UCF2008 0]

Cameron?....excuse the French, but he's a fuckin' prick

 

Goes with the territory. If he gets us into the championship inside two years he's got my vote though.

[bluebear54 0]

Cameron?....excuse the French, but he's a fuckin' prick

 

Not really relevant. He doesn't decide all that much. He's just a Prime Minister.

I've mentioned this perfect storm before - and it is a possibility.

I have a feeling that this story is based on truth.

[Frankie 8,150]

I'm a member of one of the Supporters Direct mailing lists which is used for discussions between Trusts. Out of the blue, yesterday one such Trust started a thread on Green and Rangers complaining about any potential move. No coincidence here - someone is trying to make political ground.

[der Berliner 3,246]

There are just two reasons why people in England do want Rangers there (and they are a minority), and why they don't (majority).

 

Those who want us - in the Conference - would see their attendance figures and possible media attention go through the roofs, much like it id in SFL 3.

 

Those who do not want us - anywhere else in the English set-up - see another two competitors for their money. And serious competitors at that. These people look after their clubs and their bank accounts like everyone else and they would sure not welcome any TV income that trickles down from the EPL to be lessened by the OF's arrival.

 

There's only one thing that would accelerate our jump over the Hadrian's Wall - a initiative by Sky TV et al, the creation of a British Premier League (which would essentially include only English, any already lingering Welsh intruders, and two Scottish teams). They would probably take up England's slot in the UEFA club ranking ... with the OF not being reckoned to cause any great harm to the ambitions to the current English elite for some years to come. The rest will be fed with 20odd million more by Sky and all will be happy.

[bluebear54 0]

There are just two reasons why people in England do want Rangers there (and they are a minority), and why they don't (majority).

 

Those who want us - in the Conference - would see their attendance figures and possible media attention go through the roofs, much like it id in SFL 3.

 

Those who do not want us - anywhere else in the English set-up - see another two competitors for their money. And serious competitors at that. These people look after their clubs and their bank accounts like everyone else and they would sure not welcome any TV income that trickles down from the EPL to be lessened by the OF's arrival.

 

There's only one thing that would accelerate our jump over the Hadrian's Wall - a initiative by Sky TV et al, the creation of a British Premier League (which would essentially include only English, any already lingering Welsh intruders, and two Scottish teams). They would probably take up England's slot in the UEFA club ranking ... with the OF not being reckoned to cause any great harm to the ambitions to the current English elite for some years to come. The rest will be fed with 20odd million more by Sky and all will be happy.

 

With all respect DB, it's not just the money.

There is a feeling that it would bring an extra excitement to the game. And I believe that it would. It would bring back that Home International buzz to the game.

But there are some strange political agendas as well. Particularly from them. Can't wait to see the IRAoke against Millwall.

I still can't make out what's happening.

But something is.