‘Old Firm would be a force to be reckoned with in British League’

Stubbs claims Celtic and Rangers would be able to scale up their operations in short order to rival Manchester United and Liverpool if they were co-opted into a British League.

The scenario of Celtic and Rangers competing in England has been floated for decades. However, it has been givalan en fresh impetus following a newspaper report yesterday that claimed the fall-out from the ill-fated European Super League could include Scotland’s two biggest clubs joining a revamped English Premier League.

Stubbs, the former Hibernian manager who has played either side of the border with lengthy spells at Celtic and Everton, would embrace such seismic change.

He does, though, concede it could squash broadcasting revenue for the Scottish set-up that the Glasgow clubs would leave behind.

“It would take them [Celtic and Rangers] a few years to adjust but they would be brilliant in England; fantastic additions and I’d love to see it happen,” Stubbs said.

“They would attract players, revenue and all the things associated with the glamour of being part of a British league.

“You’ve seen in the last week how difficult change can be but I don’t know if it would be different if it’s just bringing in Celtic and Rangers. There are a lot of obstacles and dilemmas in the mix. It would certainly suit Celtic and Rangers more than some others. But I just think it would be brilliant and would add such excitement in to the mix.

“They would be a force to be reckoned with within a few years – they would scare some people down there. Their brands – and buying power – would go through the roof.

“It wouldn’t be long before they were along the same lines as Manchester United.

“United's history goes back a long way and it's the same with Liverpool, and Arsenal. You look at a lot of the clubs at the top of the Premier League right now, though, and in terms of histories they are fairly new. You look at Manchester City since they were bought over, Chelsea are the same, it’s all quite recent.

“But Celtic and Rangers'