Soccer: Bradford chairman keen to attract Old Firm
Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond has invited the Old Firm to join the Nationwide League after they were left in limbo by other Scottish clubs yesterday.
The other 10 top-flight clubs plunged Scottish football into fresh crisis and stunned Celtic and Rangers by announcing their intention to resign from the Scottish Premier League in two years’ time.
But Glasgow’s big two have been invited to move to England by Richmond, an influential Nationwide League board member.
He believes the proposal will be backed by his fellow chairmen and European football’s governing body.
Richmond told the Scottish Daily Mail: ‘‘There has been no approach by either Rangers or Celtic to the Nationwide League.
‘‘The Premiership made it clear they weren’t interested in the Old Firm in December. ‘‘The only way Celtic and Rangers can get there, therefore, is via the Football League.
‘‘I have no doubt that the vast majority of the chairmen here would welcome Celtic and Rangers, for obvious reasons.
‘‘The rules would probably have to be changed to parachute both clubs into Division One, but I think there is overwhelming support in favour of their application to do that.
‘‘It would have to be approved by both the SPL and SFA but after yesterday’s events I imagine that would now be forthcoming.
‘‘With their support then I can’t see any opposition coming either the Football League or even UEFA.
‘‘But it’s up to the Old Firm to make their intentions clear.’’
