Bid to get Old Firm in Prem wins backing.VILLA bossMartin O'Neill and Blues counterpart Alex McLeish Alexander "Alex" McLeish (born January 21 1959, Barrhead, Renfrewshire, Scotland) nicknamed "Big Eck",[1] is a former professional footballer and is currently manager of the Scotland national team. are leading the chorus of prominent Premier League managers championing the idea of welcoming the Old Firm into the Premier League. But the respective former Celtic and Rangers chiefs could be disappointed with the proposals unlikely to receive widespread backing at a meeting of the top-flight chairmen in London today. O'Neill and McLeish, who renewed their rivalry in Birmingham after competing across the Glasgow divide, have spoken out in support of their former clubs breaking away to join the English Premier League. David Moyes David William Moyes (b. April 25, 1963 in Glasgow, Scotland) is a football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Everton F.C.. He has twice been named, in 2003 and 2005, as the 'League Managers' Association manager of the year', and is one of the younger and Harry Redknapp Henry James "Harry" Redknapp (born March 2 1947) is an English former footballer who has had a long career in football management and is the current manager of Portsmouth in the English Premier League. have also given their blessing to the Old Firm heading south - but for the proposals to be carried through 14 of the 20 clubs need to be in favour, which is unrealistic. "I would like to see both teams in the Premier League," saidO'Neill, whowas in charge of Celtic from 2000 to 2005. "I think it would make the Enthusiastic: O'Neill and McLeish. league even stronger than it is. Celtic are just an unbelievable club, and Rangers also. "I don't think for one minute that the likes of ourselves at Aston Villa would sit back and think 'that's it, we'll just give up'. "I think all clubs would try to get stronger because of it." McLeish, who managed Rangers from 2001 to 2006, echoed O'Neill's sentiments, saying: "I would love to see Celtic and Rangers getting a platform that would merit the institutions that they are. "I don't want to appear disrespectful dis·re·spect·ful adj. Having or exhibiting a lack of respect; rude and discourteous. dis  re·spect to
otherScottishteams but the size of the clubs mean they deserve more
investment and backing and they would certainly get that in the
Premiership.
"It is gathering a lot of momentum but I have not found there is a real big push to move this forward. "It would be a sensational move and, to see Rangers trotting out againstPremier League teams every week, would be nothing short of phenomenal." Bolton chairman Phil Gartside Phil Gartside is the chairman of Bolton Wanderers. He is a businessman based in Lancashire and is Chairman of Chambers of Commerce North West. Phil was born in Dublin on 23rd August 1941 in the Dublin suburb of Whitehall, to parents Margaret and Patrick. has been working on the proposals for a two-tier league, possibly including Celtic and Rangers, for more than a year because he is concerned that too much money continues to flow into the coffers of the top four clubs. |
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