Celtic and Rangers to stay in SPL
The Premier League clubs have thrown out a proposal to bring Celtic and Rangers into the English game.
Discussion has raged for some time about whether the Old Firm could be included in a new-look English structure.
A two-tier Premier League including the Glasgow giants was on the agenda at a meeting of chairmen on Thursday.
Several managers, such as Alex McLeish, Martin O'Neill, David Moyes and Harry Redknapp, had previously voiced their support for the idea.
However, the Premier League have now confirmed that Celtic and Rangers will not be invited to leave the SPL.
The proposal, put forward by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside, was rejected as neither 'desirable or viable'.
The Premier League said in a statement: "Bolton Wanderers submitted a discussion paper detailing ideas concerning the restructuring of the Premier League into two tiers with the inclusion of Celtic and Rangers.
"The clubs welcomed the additional input into an ongoing process, however, they were of the opinion that bringing Celtic and Rangers into any form of Premier League set-up was not desirable or viable.
"The other relevant ideas contained within Bolton's paper will now be taken forward as part of the wider strategic review being undertaken by the Premier League since November 2008 with the aim of providing recommendations before December 2010."
Bad move
Speaking before the announcement, Burnley chief executive Paul Fletcher explained that he would be opposing the plan due to fears over the repercussions.
"My first view is that it would ruin football in Scotland," said Fletcher.
"What the Hearts and Hibernians and Aberdeens of this world would think about it ... whether they would slip into non-league football, I don't know."
Burnley's former Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher agreed that removing Celtic and Rangers from Scottish football would be a bad move.
"Everyone looks forward to playing the Old Firm sides so I think it would take a big part of that away," said the 22-year-old.
"I've played a lot of my football up there and I don't want to see that.
"I don't think they'd do badly if they came down but they're two Scottish teams and I think they should stay up there for the SPL's sake as well."
Skysports.com