Old Firm would be welcome on the pitch in the Premier League but not off it.
Over the past eight days, Rangers and Celtic have shown they can give Premier League clubs significant challenges on the field of play. It is the significant challenges to the authorities off the field that end any chance of the Old Firm ever joining the Premier League.
In the two European ties, Rangers and Celtic impressed against Manchester United and Aston Villa respectively. Only an injury-time winner by Bruno Fernandes rescued United from a Europa League draw against a spirited Rangers side. Bailey Rice, 18, came on at half-time and impressed. Cyriel Dessers struck a magnificent goal that Rangers believed had earned a point before Fernandes intervened.
Celtic fought back from 2-0 down after five minutes to make it 2-2 at the break in the Champions League this Wednesday. Villa could not fully relax until Morgan Rogers made it 4-2 in added time. Adam Idah, who scored Celtic’s goals, certainly troubled Villa. Celtic still progressed and now face a daunting play-off against Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Celtic will probably go out but can take pride from their run. It will strengthen their conviction that they could hold their own in the Premier League.