THE DOOR IS OPEN

Old Firm’s pathway to the Champions League will be protected by UEFA and revamp could see Dons, Hibs, Hearts and others compete in third-tier Euro comp

CELTIC and Rangers could have a pathway to revamped Champions League protected as part of a proposal to overhaul the most lucrative club competition in football. Record Sport understands a radical plan, which has been spearheaded by Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli at a two-day summit of the mightiest clubs in Europe, could safeguard a

PLAN Juve chief Agnelli

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future route into UEFA’s elite for Scotland’s big two.

Our new information comes on the back of conflicting reports emanating from the European Club Association general assembly in Geneva that Agnelli will push for a closed-door Champions League set-up from season 2024/25 after being re-elected as head of the ECA this week.

However, it is our understanding the Italian believes Celtic and Rangers should be given access to the top table because of the rich history of both clubs in European competition as well as a list of other key factors including their fanbase, facilities and global reach.

It’s believed Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell – a key member of the ECA board – has been lobbying hard to keep a door open for Scotland’s clubs but it remains unclear if any of the SPFL’s other top-flight teams would pass the criteria test which Agnelli is set to endorse.

However, the Italian is also throwing his weight behind a proposal to create a third-tier competition which would lead to a huge hike in the numbers of clubs competing in European football.

Currently only 80 teams can qualify for the group stages of UEFA’s two major tournaments. But Agnelli hopes to increase that to 126 clubs by introducing a new competition that could see millions of extra revenue flood into the Scottish game.

A source said: “There seems to be a misconception that Agnelli is trying to shut the door on Scottish participation in the Champions League. That is simply not the case.

“On the contrary, he has been very supportive of the arguments which have been put forward from clubs representing Europe’s so-called smaller nations. He understands and accepts the principle of safeguarding access to the elite event for historic European clubs such as Celtic, Rangers, Ajax and Anderlecht,

“He doesn’t support a closed-shop Champions League and does not want to challenge the domestic league structure.

“Instead, he wants to find a way of allowing more clubs from more countries to compete in Europe.

“The creation of a new third-tier competition would mean the likes of Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and other Scottish clubs could compete far more regularly in Europe and that would provide the Scottish game with a massive financial shot in the arm.”

UEFA are now set to enter an 18-month consultation period with the ECA as plans for a huge shake-up of the European landscape take shape.

Only after these negotiations will the final consequences of this overhaul become clear.

In a unifying address to the ECA on Tuesday, Agnelli said: “The ECA’s task is to protect the position of football in all European countries and not only in those that have made themselves heard in the last two months.

“Everyone is interested in future competitions but I want to underline that there isn’t my side or another side, just the side of football.

“I’m sure that under the presidency of (UEFA’s Alexander) Ceferin we’ll pursue unity in football.

“That’s what we’ll try to achieve, in the interest of all European clubs.”