Celtic chief wants Premier League switch

Talk of Celtic and Rangers joining English football has been mooted for some time (GETTY IMAGES)

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has reiterated his desire to see the club quit Scottish football and join the Barclays Premier League.

The prospect of the Old Firm playing teams from England is one which has been raised on a number of occasions, with both clubs aware of the financial benefits of such a move.

The English Premier League are set to meet next month where the possibility of a two-tier system, which could include Celtic and Rangers, may be discussed.

Lawwell told BBC Radio 5 Live: "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.

"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.

"For certain, things won't stay the same. 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."