Old Firm aim to heal SPL split

Celtic and Rangers finally made steps yesterday to end the impasse between themselves and the other 10 members of the Scottish Premier League over a planned restructuring of the division.

The 10 had grown frustrated in recent weeks at the slow response from the Old Firm to a "detailed document" put to the Glasgow clubs in August in a bid to end the wrangling, which has seen the two parties at loggerheads since the collapse of SPL TV in April.

The Glasgow giants vetoed the SPL channel to leave the rest of the league clubs facing an uneasy financial future. The Motherwell chairman, John Boyle, even blamed the collapse of the deal as a significant factor for the Fir Park club's move into administration.

Now, after the long wait, the Ibrox chairman, John McClelland, insists the response from the Old Firm is "constructive". McClelland said: "Rangers and Celtic have made some proposals to the SPL about changing the existing rules and we have sent copies to the other 10 clubs. We believe our proposals are constructive."

The Celtic chief executive, Ian McLeod, is also optimistic the proposals can bring a peaceful end to a traumatic seven months for all concerned with the SPL. McLeod said: "Celtic and Rangers have responded to the 10's request to submit further proposals. We have always believed it to be best to maintain confidentiality in relation to specific details. But we would hope that our proposals can bring about a satisfactory conclusion to our differences."

After the collapse of SPL TV a two-year deal with BBC Scotland was agreed at the last minute but the 10 officially resigned from the SPL the following day. The 10 then presented a document outlining their proposals for a restructuring of the league to Celtic and Rangers, including a re-vamped voting structure, a change from the current 11-1 which brought down SPL TV.

A spokesman for the 10 said: "The Old Firm's response to the paper will be considered before anything else is decided or said. But it has taken three-and-a-half months for them to respond."

The 10 are now set to meet on Friday to discuss the response which has now been made by the Old Firm.

Celtic and Rangers were interested in a move to England when the television deal collapsed before authorities stamped down on any departure from the Scottish league.

The English Premiership chairmen voted 20-0 against the Glasgow giants joining their competition, but the Nationwide League chairmen are more keen on the idea.

However, with the respective television deals for England and Scotland ending at the close of next season, the financial clout of Sky Television could once again see the Old Firm looking to move south of the border.