BIG TWO TOLD TO GET REAL; SPL VIEW.

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster has urged the Old Firm to get real and focus on improving the SPL instead of trying to leave it.

Celtic and Rangers reopened the debate yesterday by reiterating their desire to swap the SPL for the TV riches on offer in the Premiership.

The prospect of the Glasgow giants playing teams from England is one that has been raised on a number of occasions.

The English Premier League are set to meet next month where the possibility of a two-tier system, which could include Celtic and Rangers, may be discussed.

But Doncaster, who issued a "hands of our clubs" warning to the Premiership in Record Sport last month, said: "Any sort of speculation around this area isn't particularly helpful.

"It's not helpful south of the border with a potential English Premier League 2 and it's not helpful north of the border either.

Reality

"The fact is the 12 SPL clubs are where they are and the structure of the English League is where it is and I don't see any huge desire for change.

"Peter Lawwell indicated he would wait for an invitation to join and as far as I'm aware no invitation has been forthcoming.

"It is a story that has been doing the rounds both sides of the border.

"There has been a lot of discussion south of the border for many years about a potential English Premier League 2 and restructuring the English system.

"But there are no signs yet that it's any closer to being a reality. It's all very well speculating about what might be the case but I prefer to deal with the reality.

"We've got 12 magnificent clubs within the SPL and what we need to do is try our utmost using those enormous brands to drive more money and investment into Scottish football and that's what we will be doing."

The SPL agreed a pounds 65million TV deal with Sky and ESPN in July - far less than the pounds 125m Setanta had agreed to pay over four seasons before the collapse of their UK operation.

And Doncaster admits the Scottish top flight is in need of a larger cash injection.

He said: "It's important to focus on where we are rather than speculating about what might be the case.

"Spending a lot of time talking about what might be the case going forward isn't necessarily productive. I'd far rather deal with the reality of where we are.

"We have a couple of world quality broadcasters who are showcasing our product.

"We need to make sure we get more money, both from broadcasting and other areas, going forward and that remains the main focus for me."

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