Sports Betting: Old Firm To Join Premier League?

Football betting firms offer new wagers on Old Firm heading south.

Plans to include Scotland's two biggest football clubs in a new English league system have created interest in sports betting markets.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has suggested that Celtic and Rangers should be invited to play in a two-tier Premier League, with 18 teams in each division and just one club facing relegation to the Football League at the end of the season.

Although the proposal still faces many obstacles, Uefa has stated that it would not oppose such a move.

William Hill is now offering 6/1 on Celtic, Rangers or both Old Firm clubs joining the English top-flight before the 2014-15 season gets underway.

"Celtic and Rangers would almost certainly boost interest and attendance for the Premier League - but they are unlikely to be welcomed with open arms by those clubs which believe their presence would lessen their own chances of survival," commented spokesperson for the bookmaker Graham Sharpe.

Gartside needs to secure the approval of 14 out of the 20 Premier League chairmen before his plan can be taken to the next stage.

Celtic currently lead Rangers by one point at the top of the Scottish Premier League with five games to play.