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      Rangers 4-1 Celtic LIVE RESULT: Roofe (2), Morelos and Defoe see Gers crush ten-man Bhoys to stay unbeaten

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      JERMAIN DEFOE has rounded off a crushing victory for Rangers over ten-man rivals Celtic.Callum McGregor was sent off for the Bhoys on 26 minutes after the referee played advantage, allowing Kemar Roofe to put the Gers in front in the same phase of play.
      But Celtic bounced back immediately with as Odsonne Edouard poked home from close range.
      However, Alfredo Morelos soon restored Rangers’ advantage with a thunderous strike.
      And Kemar Roofe bagged a brace in the second half to give Steven Gerrard’s men a two-goal cushion.
      Defoe then had the final word as he twisted and turned through the Celtic defence to add a fourth.
      UNBEATEN RUN REMAINS
      Rangers are now odds-on to finish the league campaign unbeaten after today’s win.
      An away game at Livingston followed by a home game with Aberdeen – where they will receive the trophy – are the only two assignments left to conquer.

      TEARY ME!
      Rangers star Alfredo Morelos appeared to taunt Celtic skipper Scott Brown in his final Old Firm clash.
      The Hoops midfielder was withdrawn after an hour as he made his last derby appearance before his summer switch to Aberdeen.
      Morelos scored a stunning goal for the Light Blues as he grabbed his second derby goal of the season.
      The Colombian hitman nutmegged the veteran midfielder before cutting inside and smashing the ball beyond Scott Bain.
      The duo are never quiet on the pitch and had their usual niggle at each other during the Ibrox clash.
      Pictures show the pair exchanging words while another catches Morelos reacting towards the midfielder as he pointed towards his eyes.
      READ MORE HERE
      MAN-BYS
      Our man Robert Grieve was at Ibrox today.
      Here he runs the rule over this afternoon’s players and gives us his view.
      RANGERS XI: McGregor 9, Tavernier 8, Goldson 8, Simpson 7, Barisic 7, Kamara 8, Davis 9, Aribo 8, Kent 9, Morelos 8, Roofe 8
      SUBS: Wright 2, Hagi 2, Defoe 3
      CELTIC XI: Bain 5, Kenny 6, Welsh 6, Ajer 7, Taylor 6, Brown 5, McGregor 2, Forrest 5, Turnbull 7, Elyounoussi 7, Edouard 5
      SUBS: Soro 3, Christie 3, Johnston 2

      REPORT
      Our match report is now live on site.
      Catch all the big moments from today’s final Old Firm of the season over on the Scottish Sun Football page.
      Or, click here 👉 OLD FIRM MATCH REPORT
      Kemar Roofe
      KENNEDY THOUGHTS
      John Kennedy has blasted Nick Walsh for the decision to send Callum McGregor off.
      Kennedy says he was told the first booking was for a ‘reckless tackle’ which he didn’t agree with.
      It is a sore one. Going down to ten men puts us on the back foot but we still managed to create. Rangers were more clinical than us once again.The red card is the turning point and yes he went to ground on a yellow card. But it’s the first yellow. We asked the referee what he booked him for and he said a reckless tackle. I didn’t see a reckless tackle. He is on his feet, making an attempt to play the ball. There is no consistency there. Red cards can happen but at least make the right calls.We had to defend well and not open up too much and we forced them wide to defend crosses. In terms of possession, we did well even with ten men. We had to be brave and make chances which we did.John Kennedy
      GERRARD THOUGHTS
      Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was delighted with Kemar Roofe’s involvement as he praised Nick Walsh’s performance.
      It’s a big rivalry and an important game as I said before the game. It was a really strong performance and we needed Kemar, Alfredo and Ryan to be the difference for us and we have run away with it in the end.From a team point of view, we strive for consistency. Kemar has had a mixed few weeks from a personal point of view and he certainly responded today. His all-round build-up play was strong and he played big for us today.Playing ten men always makes it easier, I won’t lie. I thought the referee got the decisions right. We work for they moments and they have gone in our favour.Steven Gerrard
      BAD MEMORIES REBORN
      The year 2000.
      The last season where Celtic didn’t win a single Old Firm clash.

      DOUBLE UP
      Kemar Roofe bagged a double for Rangers today and said he has been preparing for this game for a while.
      Roofe has been frustrated at a lack of game time in recent weeks and produced the good today.
      The result says it all! It was a big game for us as we have been down this weekend and disappointed. It’s important to remember we are champions and we had forgot about it as it was so long ago but today brought it back.The last five to six weeks have been difficulty for me but I have been preparing for this game for a while. We won the league a long time ago and now it’s about trying to stay unbeaten. We always want to be playing for something.Kemar Roofe
      FULL-TIME NUMBERS
      The stats behind a big Rangers win over Celtic
      Sky Sports
      HOW WE STAND
      Today’s result would have absolutely zero impact on the league placings.
      But it does take Rangers three points closer to hitting the 100 point mark.
      It also keeps that ‘0’ in the L column

      FULL-TIME AT IBROX: RANGERS 4-1 CELTIC
      Goals from Alfredo Morelos, Jermain Defoe and a Kemar Roofe double handed Rangers their biggest win over Celtic under Steven Gerrard.
      Odsonne Edouard had equalised for Celtic earlier in the game after Callum McGregor was sent off for Celtic.
      Reaction to come.
      PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
      FULL-TIME AT IBROX: RANGERS 4-1 CELTIC

      RANGERS 4-1 CELTIC
      90+2′ A slack pass out from the back and Rangers are in.
      Hagi flicks it round the corner for Defoe who squares Welsh up inside the box.
      He twists the youngster inside out and leaves him on his backside before coolly passing the ball beyond Bain with his left foot.
      JERMAIN DEFOE CAPS AN EMPHATIC RANGERS WIN!
      GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      THREE MINUTES ADDED

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      90′ Defoe is sent clean through but the flag is up.
      He missed the opportunity anyway.

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      89′ Ajer again finds himself in an attacking role down the left but Celtic just can’t get through.
      Davis tries to bring it away for Rangers but Johnston brings him down.
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      86′ Final Rangers change of the afternoon.

      OFF – Roofe
      ON – Defoe

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      83′ Morelos is down injured now and seems to be holding his hamstring.
      He seemed set to be replaced anyway but will do so now.

      OFF – Morelos
      ON – Hagi

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      81′ A chance for Elyounoussi to make a game of it!
      A ball in from the right is misjudged by Tavernier who gets caught underneath it.
      Elyounoussi comes flying in at the back post but can’t get good contact on it and heads it wide from close range.
      Rangers boss Steven Gerrard
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      80′ Good play from Rangers ends with Roofe picking the ball up on the Celtic edge with his back to goal.
      He lays it off to Kent who sidefoots it straight at Bain.
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      79′ Great play again from Ajer!
      He beats four Rangers tackles on the edge of the box before trying to pick out the top corner.
      His final shot is rubbish and sent miles wide but it was excellent play!
      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      78′ Barisic can’t continue and limps off the far side of the park.
      Joe Aribo will fill in at left-back.

      OFF – Barisic
      ON – Wright

      RANGERS 3-1 CELTIC
      76′ It’s been really stop-start the last five minutes as fouls are given to both teams.
      Barisic sends a ball down the line and goes down in a crumpled heap.
      He needs treatment from the physio.
      Load more entries… More

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      Rangers 4 Celtic 1: Kemar Roofe, Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe pile misery on Hoops in Scott Brown’s Old Firm finale

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      ALFREDO MORELOS scored and NUTMEGGED Scott Brown in the Celtic skipper’s final Old Firm match on the way to helping keep Rangers’ Invincible dream alive.The Colombian – for whom this may also be the last derby – scored Gers’ second, either side of a double from Kemar Roofe before Jermain Defoe rounded things off.
      Alfredo Morelos celebratesCredit: The Sun
      Odsonne Edouard made it 1-1 after half an hour but with Callum McGregor sent off for Celtic for a second yellow in the build up to Roofe’s opener, the Hoops faced a mountain to climb.
      Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard handed a Glasgow Derby debut to January signing Jack Simpson and a rare start of late to Roofe who repaid his manager’s faith in him.
      John Kennedy welcomed James Forrest back into the Celtic team after his latest injury woe and opted for Edouard over Leigh Griffiths up top.
      Rangers had a massive chance on ten minutes when James Tavernier swung a terrific ball into the box for Morelos at the back post but he completely miscued his effort.
      The Hoops hit the bar just before Roofe scored when Mohamed Elyounoussi struck from distance only for Allan McGregor to tip it onto the woodwork.
      Then came the goal and credit must also go to Nick Walsh – himself an Old Firm debutant – who played advantage after Celtic’s McGregor lunged in late on Glen Kamara in the build-up.
      Walsh waved play on as the ball made its way to Joe Aribo whose cross looked to be a half a yard behind Roofe – but the forward had other ideas.
      He twisted his body and diverted the ball into the net via his chest to put Gers up after 24 minutes.
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      Jack Simpson made his Old Firm debut for RangersCredit: The Sun
      Kemar Roofe opens the scoringCredit: The Sun
      Walsh then went back to hand midfielder McGregor’s his marching orders.
      If Roofe’s finish was all ingenuity, Edouard’s equaliser was all instinct.
      The French frontman was alert to steer the ball home via Kris Ajer’s knockdown from a Ryan Christie corner not even five minutes after Celts went behind.
      The Light Blues had two big chances moments later, first through Roofe who had a low shot saved by Scott Bain before Aribo was also denied by the keeper at the near post.
      But it was third time lucky for the Ibrox side because with their very next attack Morelos rifled a tremendous strike into the top corner – nutmegging skipper Brown in the process.
      Picking the ball up on the edge of the box he jinked inside the Celtic captain before sending a stunning shot past Bain and high into the net.
      Forrest had a brilliant chance to level affairs five minutes before half-time when Ajer slipped him through in space inside the box but he dragged his shot along the ground and it deflected away for a corner that Rangers then dealt with.
      After a cagey opening ten minutes to the second half David Turnbull darted in between the Rangers centre-backs to attempt a diving header at goal from close range but he could only manage a faint touch and it posed keeper McGregor no danger.

      Three minutes later Roofe popped up to extend Rangers’ lead, heading home from a pinpoint Borna Barisic cross.
      That all but put the game out of the reach of the Hoops, a man down and two goals worse off with over half an hour on the clock.
      But Rangers will be sweating over the fitness of Barisic who limped off under severe duress after 75 minutes.
      Jermain Defoe came on as a late sub and scored a classy finish to round off a rampant day for Rangers.
      St Johnstone players get in the party mood after stunning Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup More

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      Gerrard and Rangers’ early title win has disguised their faults.. Kent and Morelos have been poor, says Charlie Nicholas

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      CHARLIE NICHOLAS reckons Rangers’ early title win has hidden their deficiencies this season.And the ex-Celtic man claims Steven Gerrard has a MASSIVE summer ahead.
      Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has won one trophy from nineCredit: The Sun
      Rangers title-winners Ryan Kent and Alfredo MorelosCredit: The Sun
      Gers romped to their first league championship in a decade last month after destroying the Hoops’ dreams of 10 in a row.
      Rangers – who also reached the Europa League last 16 – are three games away from completing an unbeaten Premiership campaign, but were knocked out of both the Scottish Cup and Betfred Cup.
      Stars such as Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos have earned huge plaudits this season but Nicholas doesn’t buy into that.
      He said: “Rangers have now choked in both cup competitions.
      “Winning the Premiership title as easily as they did disguised a lot of their faults.
      “Many of the Ibrox players have downed tools since becoming champions.
      “Yes, they knocked Celtic out of the Scottish Cup the weekend before last, but the hard work isn’t done until you finish the season and pick up the trophies.
      “Steven Gerrard must be scratching his head. The Rangers manager still has so much to do and improve at Ibrox to make things right.
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      Ex-Celtic man Charlie NicholasCredit: Sky Sports

      “If you look at this campaign, Rangers’ best players have been their defenders or goalkeeper.
      “Ryan Kent hasn’t had a good season. Alfredo Morelos has been poor too.
      “Gerrard will need to freshen up his squad this summer. He has a massive job on his hands.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      St Johnstone players get in the party mood after stunning Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup More

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      Rangers boss Gerrard admits one trophy out of nine is ‘not good enough’ as he reacts to Scottish Cup exit

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      ZANDER CLARK produced divine intervention for St Johnstone to end Rangers’ Double dream.The keeper claimed the 122nd-minute Ibrox equaliser – despite Chris Kane getting the final touch.
      It’s just one trophy win in the last nine for Rangers and Steven GerrardCredit: The Sun
      Clark then saved two spot-kicks in the 4-2 shootout win as Callum Davidson’s side made the Scottish Cup semis.
      He said: “There have been so many times this season when I have thought to myself: ‘I’m going to go up’ and I’ve looked at the bench and they’ve said no!
      “I just thought, ‘Do you know what? It’s all or nothing. Just get myself up there’.
      “I’ve had it against me many times and you’re shouting at someone to pick them up and everybody has a man.
      “You just follow it and try to get yourself on the end of it.
      “It was a great ball in and I glanced it.
      “Typical striker, I think Kano toe poked it over the line, so I’m devastated!
      Zander Clark was the St Johnstone hero in shootout win over RangersCredit: PA
      “But you know what? I’m taking it! I don’t care if Kano tapped it in.
      “It was what we deserved. We pushed them the whole way, we were excellent in everything we did so credit to the boys.
      “Penalties are a lottery, it’s a case of who can keep their cool and score the most.
      “It’s up to the keepers to try and help the boys out and save a couple. Thankfully I have done that.”
      James Tavernier put Rangers ahead four minutes before the end of extra-time but then had a penalty saved in the shootout.
      Gutted boss Steven Gerrard led an inquest into why Clark was unmarked at the leveller.
      Rangers players are left dejected after Scottish Cup exit at hands of St JohnstoneCredit: PA
      He admits his side’s cup record simply isn’t good enough after their Scottish Cup dream died.
      And he wouldn’t entertain any talk that winning the league left his players drained.
      He said: “We again have been stung by not being able to see the game out.
      “We have been made to pay for one unique situation – a 6ft 3in goalkeeper coming up and getting a free header in the box.
      “That’s not good enough. Players haven’t smelt that or dealt with that but that’s one us as a staff as well.
      St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson hails striker Chris KaneCredit: PA
      “We have to accept responsibility for that.
      “I think it’s the easy way out, a cop out, for us to use excuses from three or four weeks ago.
      “We felt fantastic back then and there was a lot of relief and emotions. Rightly so, we deserved that.
      “But I made it clear the Scottish Cup was a priority and we needed to keep hungry.
      “The challenge is for me to improve on cup competitions and get a group that’s capable of being better.
      “And giving our fans what they deserve, which is more trophies – not just one out of nine.
      “That’s not good enough.

      RANGERS 1 ST JOHNSTONE 1 (2-4 PENS) Clark the hero for Saints as they chase cup double

      “We can pick the bones out of tonight, we can pick the bones out of St Mirren. 
      “We can feel sorry for ourselves in the League Cup Final, we can make excuses that we never had a forward in year one. 
      “You can pick the bones out of it all, the reality is that it’s on me and it’s on us. 
      “We need to make sure we are better in the cup competitions moving forward.”

      Saints boss Davidson hailed Clark and his team-mates – admitting he thought they were out.
      He said: “That’s why Zander plays head tennis with us, he tells me!
      “The first penalty was crucial. It was a great save and I thought Zander was outstanding all game
      “And the end will be something he’ll remember for the rest of his life.
      “I’ve got to try and be calm and level headed. We’re in a semi-final and we’ve given ourselves a chance of getting to another final.”

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

      Rangers fans celebrate title win with jet and flag display over Australia’s Sydney Harbour More

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      Celtic and Rangers would easily finish in the top half of a British League, reckons Kenny Dalglish

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      KENNY DALGLISH reckons Celtic and Rangers would thrive in a British League – and would easily finish in the top half every season.SunSport exclusively revealed on Thursday that plans were in place to create a new cross-border competition following the collapse of the breakaway European Super League (ESL) movement.
      Celtic and Rangers would both thrive in a British League, says Kenny DalglishCredit: Getty
      And former Celtic star Dalglish thinks both his old club and Rangers would more than hold their own against the cream of English football if that comes to pass.
      But the Scotland great also feels the Old Firm pair might have to work their way through the divisions to get to the top rather than being parachuted straight in.
      Writing in his column in the Sunday Post, Dalglish said: “In the days since the ESL collapsed, there has been more talk of new league structures, only this time it’s not with any ESL, but a new British league set-up.
      “The chat has mentioned there could be a place for Rangers and Celtic in any new structure.
      Kenny Dalglish thinks Rangers and Celtic might have to work their way up to a British LeagueCredit: Getty
      “Now, I have no problem with that because I think the Old Firm would do really well in it.
      “Given the same financial resources as many of the other clubs, I believe they’d comfortably be in the top half of any British league every season.
      “They both have brilliant fan bases, and they would be successful.
      “But I do think they’d need to compete to get the rewards.

      WAITING GAME Celtic’s hopes of landing Howe as boss could be dashed by Bournemouth’s promotion push

      “I’m not sure about parachuting them straight into the English Premier League, or the Championship.
      “Surely, they’d need to start in League Two, and work their way up through the divisions?
      “People will rightly ask if that is not a contradiction of what was proposed in the setting-up of the ESL?
      “Maybe yes, maybe no. Either way, I believe all clubs need to earn the right to success.

      British Super League latest:

      “We have been here before with all of this talk of the Old Firm moving to England.
      “I honestly don’t know if the top English clubs really want Rangers and Celtic in any new set-up.
      “It’s been mentioned for more than 20 years, but has never got off the ground.
      “However, maybe it is going to be different this time? Maybe the winds of change are coming?”

      The Anfield legend also reckoned his old club got it right eventually by pulling out of proposals for an ESL.
      He added: “I’m a non-executive director at Liverpool, and I think ultimately the right decision was made by the club.
      “The owners have listened to the Reds’ supporters, and it’s only right that our supporters are always instrumental in what happens to their football club.
      “That’s the way it’s been for many, many years – and that’s the way it should be for many, many years to come.”

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

      Jamie O’Hara says Rangers would survive British Premier League but Celtic would be relegated More

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      Celtic’s hopes of landing Howe as boss could be dashed by Bournemouth’s promotion push

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      BOURNEMOUTH’S promotion push could dash Celtic’s hopes of landing Eddie Howe as boss.The Hoops’ No 1 target wants to take some of his old backroom staff with him if he accepts the job — but may be priced out of it.
      Former Bournemouth manager Eddie HoweCredit: PA
      Coaches Stephen Purches and Stephen Weatherstone are already on good contracts and will pick up rises if they make it back to the Premier League.
      Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes has also been earmarked for a crucial role behind the scenes.
      But promotion will make them more expensive for Celtic both in wages and possible compensation deals with the Cherries.
      Howe and Celtic may have to wait until after the play-off final on May 29 to see if Bournemouth are promoted or not.
      Howe wants to bring Richard Hughes, left, to CelticCredit: Getty
      But that wouldn’t suit Hoops chiefs — with the squad due back for pre-season on June 21.
      Celtic’s Champions League qualifiers start on July 20 and the new boss has a major rebuild on his hands.
      Howe emerged as the preferred candidate for Celtic after talks with Dermot Desmond — but a deal has yet to be sealed.
      And time is now ticking as the Hoops bid to win the title back from Rangers and make the Champions League.
      Meanwhile, national clinical director Jason Leitch reckons being able to have 10,000 fans at the Scottish Cup final – were it played elsewhere – would be a stretch.

      GLOVE ARRIVAL Celtic keeper Ross Doohan snapped up by Dundee United on emergency loan

      Fans have called for the showpiece game to be moved from Hampden to stadiums such as Celtic Park or Ibrox to allow supporters in.
      But Leitch said: “I think having 10,000 supporters in is a stretch. The final decision about where the Cup final is is nothing to do with me of course.
      “The game is when we are in Level 2 so without seeking permission you can have 500 supporters at an outdoor, seated event.
      “That means you can do that without coming to the government or the local authority without permission.

      “But we have also said that if you want more than that and can do it safely, there will be a mechanism to do that.
      “That’s how we have ended up with the Euros at 12,500. They will just have to say how it will be safe.
      “If you want more than 500 you will have to come with a plan for transportation, parking, policing, Covid officers and handwashing, etc.
      “That is not far away; level 2 is May 17. We would be cautious but not ridiculous.”

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

      British Super League being planned in secret with Celtic and Rangers joining Prem in new US-style play-off system More

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      What is a British Super League, will Rangers and Celtic join, how many clubs will it have and how will it work?

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      THE European Super League is out but the British Super League may well be in.SunSport can exclusively reveal that the Premier League is still working towards reforming its structure despite the European Super League being shot down in flames.
      Scottish champions Rangers could soon join a British Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      The Old Firm could fight it out in front of a huge global TV audienceCredit: PA
      And top of the list of plans being actively discussed is a British Super League, which would see Rangers and Celtic invited.
      SunSport’s Martin Lipton gives you all the lowdown on whether the competition will come into fruition and how it would work.
      How would the British Super League work? Who will join and who will go?
      While the details are yet to emerge, the plan would see an invitation to Rangers and Celtic to leave the SPFL and join the Premier League.
      Some of the proposers would accept a short-term extension of the Premier League as it is now, while others are already pushing for 18 clubs in the top flight.
      But with 14 clubs needed to approve, including those in danger of relegation, there would be rucks – and turkeys don’t vote for Christmas.
      How a British Super League could work

      Would the British Super League have a US-style play-off system, and how would it work?
      An end-of-season play-off is one of the systems being discussed to increase interest in the competition.
      It would be very easy to put into place, with a two-legged semi-final with first against fourth and playing the second leg at home, followed by a probable one-off Grand final.
      What would happen to promotion from the Championship when changes were made?
      Almost certainly there would be fewer up or more down, maybe over two seasons.
      This is what happened when the Premier League was reduced from 22 teams to 20 in 1995 and Middlesbrough and Bolton replaced relegated Crystal Palace, Norwich, Leicester and Ipswich 

      Would Rangers and Celtic also join the FA Cup/League Cup – or remain in the Scottish cup competitions?
      That would be a decision for the FA and SFA to make – but it is likely that they would play in the Scottish cups if they were allowed.
      Will other Scottish clubs be frozen out of ever entering via promotion? Will they be in favour of move?
      Again, this is far from clear.
      It is suggested the likes of Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and the Dundee clubs might see a league without the Old Firm as far more winnable.
      But a Super League would only be interested in Rangers and Celtic. And what would happen if one of them got relegated?
      The likes of Aberdeen could be in favour of the move if it gives them more chance of winning Scottish titlesCredit: Getty
      Why will it work this time after failed attempts in past?
      That’s the million dollar question (and we’ve had enough talk about money this week).
      There will be plenty of opposition, which might prove intractable.
      But this time Fifa would approve – if the FA and SFA did – after signalling they backed cross-border leagues only last month.
      In 2019, president Gianni Infantino said: “We need to be open to discussions.
      “The Belgians and the Dutch have been discussing creating a Benelux league and these discussions have been going on for 20 years and we are always saying no, because we are based on national leagues.
      “But maybe it helps? Maybe it is the only way out, maybe in Europe they have to think about this, maybe in Africa.
      “I was proposing something like this for Africa. I think we have the duty to study these things then we will see where it goes.”
      Gianni Infantino has declared that Fifa could be open to cross-border leaguesCredit: AP
      How much money is involved and how would all clubs benefit from this?
      Who knows? But the argument is that a British League, including the Glasgow giants with their worldwide fan bases, would have both a domestic and global appeal to broadcasters and sponsors.
      What is certain is that there would be demands for greater trickle down “solidarity” payments to the lower reaches on both sides of Hadrian’s Wall. More

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      British Premier League: What Rangers and Celtic have said as idea of Scottish giants moving south returns in shock plans

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      FEWER topics in Scottish sport have had more column inches spent on them over the years than the notion of Celtic and Rangers joining the Premier League in England. While it is a topic which has rumbled on for 20 years or more without resolution – it is back on the agenda with a vengeance right now amid the fall-out from the failed move for a European Super League.
      Could Rangers and Celtic join an expanded English Premier League?
      More fans are in favour of a British Super League than against it, according to our exclusive poll
      We exclusively revealed that the idea of these two Glasgow giants being invited to join an expanded British Premier League was back on the agenda.
      And an exclusive SunSport poll revealed more fans were in favour of the British Super League (47%) than against it (38%), with 14% unsure.
      So will the notion of Celtic and Rangers joining a cross-border British league do better at capturing the mood than the Euro Super League?
      Well, possibly – even if the usual heavyweight obstacles remain, on both sides of the border.
      In any case it is certainly a topic on which no shortage of opinions have been expressed over the years – and here SunSport collates some of the best of them.
      MARTIN O’NEILL
      Celtic legend Martin O’Neill once claimed the two Scottish giants should be in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association
      THE former Celtic boss – speaking in 2009, around the time English Premier League clubs voted against a proposal from Bolton’s Phil Gartside which would have seen them included in the second tier – said:
      “My personal thought is that Celtic and Rangers would enhance the Premier League.
      “Glasgow is a phenomenal football city. Celtic house 60,000 fans and Rangers house 50,000 fans every game.
      “I’m not sure about Rangers but I know Celtic’s capacity could go from 60,000 to 80,000 overnight, without a doubt.
      “When I was manager a number of years ago, there was some talk of both teams joining the Premier League in some capacity.
      “There was mention of them being put in the Championship too, or maybe even lower down than that, and then making them work their way up through promotion.
      “If forced to do that they would eventually get to the top and end up as monumental players in the Premier League. Of course, the sceptics would say ‘Why do it?’ But I’m talking about enhancement.”
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      MICHAEL BALL
      In 2018, former Rangers ace Michael Ball opened up on the potential mergeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      THE former Rangers star – speaking in 2018, about his arrival at the Gers from Everton in 2001 – said:
      “I went to Ibrox and met David Murray and he sold the move to me.
      “He showed me around Ibrox and told me stories. It was fascinating.
      “He told me what he wanted to do, which was to be in the English Premier League in two years time. It was agreed with Celtic and Uefa.
      “He sold it to me and I phoned my dad on the pitch and told him I was signing.”

      RICHARD SCUDAMORE
      THE Premier League in 2009 – after the Gartside proposal was defeated – said:
      “We have made a clear and unequivocal statement.
      “No means no – Celtic and Rangers are not coming in.
      “The clubs were of the opinion that bringing Celtic and Rangers into any form of Premier League set-up was not desirable or viable.”
      BRENDAN RODGERS
      Brendan Rodgers has managed in both the Scottish and English top flights
      THE Leicester and ex-Celtic boss – shortly after compiling unbeaten Scottish season in September 2017 – said:
      “Celtic in the Premier League would be an amazing story.
      “It would be an amazing experience for everyone, not just for Celtic but for other teams.
      “I just don’t think it would ever happen. There are so many barriers to go over. Celtic are one of the great iconic clubs in the world.
      “If they were in the Premier League, what that would generate… we played, for example, Ross County at the weekend, we got 58-odd thousand.
      “Around 60,000 every home game. You could take over virtually every away stadium when you go away, the travelling support will bring 10 or 12,000.”
      KEITH WYNESS
      THE former Aberdeen chief executive – speaking December 2001 when plans were already being mooted – said:
      “[Celtic and Rangers] are like two old girls in Sauchiehall Street raising their skirts to any league that walks past.”
      NEIL DONCASTER
      SPFL chief Neil Doncaster spoke up about the possible move in 2016Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      THE SPFL chief executive – speaking in 2016 when a fresh EFL proposal for Rangers and Celtic to join the fifth tier was mooted – said:
      “As we have discovered ourselves a league structure and format is a topic that never ever goes away.
      “It’s always in debate, certainly in Scotland but that’s equally the case in other leagues around the world.
      “So it’s no surprise that the English Football League should be talking about theirs again.
      “I’ve clearly seen the reports on a possible fifth tier and we’ll see what emerges from the discussions with their clubs.
      “There will be a lot of change in European football over the next two decades.
      “We need to do what we can to ensure the interest of Scottish football are promoted and protected.
      “I think we can expect there will be more focus in the years ahead throughout Europe on cross-border leagues.
      “We’ve got our own cross-border competition in the Irn-Bru Cup where we welcome teams from Northern Ireland and Wales.
      “It’s a concept that is relatively new, it’s certainly new for us, but I suspect it will feature increasingly in European football landscape in the years ahead.
      “We need to be prepared and positioned for that.”
      DAVID MOYES
      David Moyes manager of West Ham United has been linked with the Celtic job
      THE West Ham boss – speaking in October 2020 – said:
      “I think that Celtic and Rangers should have been joining the Premier League.
      “But that is not going to be the case, those two clubs up there are huge and I think it would have been great.
      “As someone who comes from Scotland I think both Celtic and Rangers are completely under estimated in what they would bring to a league.
      “I think having them and their level of support would be good for the Premier League. That’s my opinion.
      “Yes it would effect Scottish football, just like the effect would come if some so-called bigger clubs went into a European league. We wouldn’t necessarily like that.
      “It would be incredible. I don’t think it will ever happen because of the power of the other clubs and that.”
      STEVEN GEERRARD
      Could former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard take on Liverpool?
      THE Rangers manager – speaking January 2020 – said:
      “I would love the Scottish league to filter into the English leagues. All of them. To save and help the Scottish game a lot. It would be unbelievable.
      “Could you picture now, the Premier League with those two clubs in it?
      “But even for their own clubs sake, let’s use Bournemouth for example. Imagine Bournemouth going to Celtic Park twice a season, or once a season or in a cup game.
      “The atmosphere at Celtic Park and Rangers is off the scale. It’s a unique experience for a fan, for a player, to go and coach there.
      “I think it would be unbelievable. I don’t think it will happen.
      “It’s massive. It’s massive but unique. I don’t think everyone understands the size of Rangers.
      “People from Liverpool or people from around England don’t realise how big Celtic and Rangers are because they only watch the Old Firm games.”
      DERMOT DESMOND
      Dermot Desmond has long hoped that Celtic could play in a cross border set-up
      Celtic’s largest single shareholder – speaking earlier this year – said:
      “Everything now is about the size of clubs and their followings. It’s become a digital world – streaming, Zoom.
      “This pandemic has changed things.
      “Now, what are we going to see with football? Will we see clubs sell their own international rights, take more control of their finances internationally?
      “If that’s the case, because you know the top clubs in England want to control their international rights, those rights will be far more valuable if they’re playing against Celtic and Rangers.
      “Celtic and Rangers are in the top eight clubs in Great Britain by any metric – support, attendance, international appeal.
      “At some stage, there’s going to be the realisation that if they want to maximise their revenues, then there’ll be a British Premier League.”
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