http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8296085.stm
Lawwell upbeat on Old Firm exit
Celtic are envious of the television money on offer in England
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell says Scottish football would benefit from increased competition if the Old Firm were to escape to pastures new.
"There are only two teams that can win the league," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"If you accept that competition is the lifeblood of sport, the Scottish model is seriously challenged.
"If Celtic and Rangers did play in another environment, I think it would enhance the game because you would have more competition."
At a meeting in November, the English Premier League are to discuss the possibility of a two-tier set-up, which could involve the Glasgow sides.
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside is the driving force behind the idea to include Rangers and Celtic in two divisions of 18 teams.
Lawwell revealed that Celtic would consider joining the English league at the lowest level - if it meant they had a chance of playing in their Premier League one day.
The club would be prepared to enter the English pyramid at the base if it would benefit them in the long-term, he said.
The issue has been raised several times over the years, with many fearing the loss of the Old Firm's financial muscle would be ruinous for the Scottish game.
However, when speculating about a future exit, Lawwell added: "When there is something to play for, the crowds go up.
"And, if we move, there may be some sort of interim solidarity payment to see the clubs through the transition."
Lawwell is convinced change is inevitable and believes Celtic have the potential to be a major European player if the club can escape the constraints of the Scottish Premier League.
"For certain, things won't stay the same," he said. "There are so many dynamics in world football at the moment and the world is getting smaller.
"We have very strong fundamentals. In the last Deloitte's report we were the eighth biggest club in the world for match-day takings.
"If we had the TV rights value that you get in England, then there is no barrier for Celtic.
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"If you look at our story and compare it to Manchester United: the beginnings, the triumphs, the tragedies, the characters, they are almost identical.
"But we play in a country of five million people and Manchester United play in the most successful league in the world.
"We continually look in awe at what's happened in England. The English Premier League is an absolutely fantastic product."
When asked about the possibility of an Atlantic League proposal being revived, Lawwell was less enthusiastic.
"It was looked at in great detail seven or eight years ago but it seemed to be a little bit of a Frankenstein; bits taken from here and there and there were no real national rivalries," he explained.
"There would be an initial media interest but whether that would be sustainable is questionable. And there would need to be some sort of integration with the Champions League.
"From our point of view, we'd be looking at something more natural.
"We have a watching brief at the moment. There are some initiatives going on, I think, in England and there is some discussion in terms of extending the Champions League, which we would be very keen to participate in."
"Celtic and Rangers are massive clubs. Celtic certainly has a global reach. Our frustration is that we play in a very small market and we don't have a regular platform to tell the Celtic story from," he added.
"We're looking for an opportunity to participate in an environment that gives us that global exposure. And hopefully, through time, that will come.
"We need someone to want us. And, if that benefits Celtic and its supporters, then we'd be delighted to take part."
The part with Celtic starting in the lowest division sounds very unlikely to me.
Lawwell upbeat on Old Firm exit
Celtic are envious of the television money on offer in England
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell says Scottish football would benefit from increased competition if the Old Firm were to escape to pastures new.
"There are only two teams that can win the league," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"If you accept that competition is the lifeblood of sport, the Scottish model is seriously challenged.
"If Celtic and Rangers did play in another environment, I think it would enhance the game because you would have more competition."
At a meeting in November, the English Premier League are to discuss the possibility of a two-tier set-up, which could involve the Glasgow sides.
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside is the driving force behind the idea to include Rangers and Celtic in two divisions of 18 teams.
Lawwell revealed that Celtic would consider joining the English league at the lowest level - if it meant they had a chance of playing in their Premier League one day.
The club would be prepared to enter the English pyramid at the base if it would benefit them in the long-term, he said.
The issue has been raised several times over the years, with many fearing the loss of the Old Firm's financial muscle would be ruinous for the Scottish game.
However, when speculating about a future exit, Lawwell added: "When there is something to play for, the crowds go up.
"And, if we move, there may be some sort of interim solidarity payment to see the clubs through the transition."
Lawwell is convinced change is inevitable and believes Celtic have the potential to be a major European player if the club can escape the constraints of the Scottish Premier League.
"For certain, things won't stay the same," he said. "There are so many dynamics in world football at the moment and the world is getting smaller.
"We have very strong fundamentals. In the last Deloitte's report we were the eighth biggest club in the world for match-day takings.
"If we had the TV rights value that you get in England, then there is no barrier for Celtic.
MY SPORT: DEBATE
Give your reaction to this story
"If you look at our story and compare it to Manchester United: the beginnings, the triumphs, the tragedies, the characters, they are almost identical.
"But we play in a country of five million people and Manchester United play in the most successful league in the world.
"We continually look in awe at what's happened in England. The English Premier League is an absolutely fantastic product."
When asked about the possibility of an Atlantic League proposal being revived, Lawwell was less enthusiastic.
"It was looked at in great detail seven or eight years ago but it seemed to be a little bit of a Frankenstein; bits taken from here and there and there were no real national rivalries," he explained.
"There would be an initial media interest but whether that would be sustainable is questionable. And there would need to be some sort of integration with the Champions League.
"From our point of view, we'd be looking at something more natural.
"We have a watching brief at the moment. There are some initiatives going on, I think, in England and there is some discussion in terms of extending the Champions League, which we would be very keen to participate in."
"Celtic and Rangers are massive clubs. Celtic certainly has a global reach. Our frustration is that we play in a very small market and we don't have a regular platform to tell the Celtic story from," he added.
"We're looking for an opportunity to participate in an environment that gives us that global exposure. And hopefully, through time, that will come.
"We need someone to want us. And, if that benefits Celtic and its supporters, then we'd be delighted to take part."
The part with Celtic starting in the lowest division sounds very unlikely to me.
