Bain was being asked about a possible North Atlantic League

Rangers and Celtic are not actively seeking an exit from Scottish football, according to the man who predicted they will have left within 10 years.

Martin Bain, Rangers' chief executive, had suggested the timescale last week.

He was quizzed again after suggestions that a North Atlantic League involving the Old Firm was again being discussed.

"I wouldn't say that Rangers and Celtic are necessarily pursuing an exit - I think other people are maybe driving the bus," Bain told BBC Scotland.

"And, if Rangers and Celtic are asked if they want to get on that bus, you can only comment when you can see if it's right for the football club - so we'll wait and see.

''We are required to explore any possibilities that may come our way because we have a responsibility to do so for the betterment of the football club and the fan base."

Bain's original comments had come after it was revealed that Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside would raise at the November meeting of the Premier League in England the possibility of a two-tier set-up to include the two Glasgow clubs.

While Celtic appear to prefer that route, Bain had suggested that the North Atlantic one, which could include major clubs from Portugal, Netherlands and Belgium, was the more likely.

We have no interest in the creation of a North Atlantic League Feyenoord spokesman

Bain does, though, stress that, while Rangers would consider such possibilities, it was important to do everything to maintain the quality of the current Scottish Premier League.

''It's important that we maintain our infrastructure here, keep on top of football here and, if we do that, then something changes, we'd hopefully be invited to a party,'' he said.

However, the president of the Dutch FA has written to assure the Scottish Football Association that he is not driving plans to create a new Atlantic League.

Michael Van Praag had been quoted as saying he would lobby Uefa for a shake-up in the European game, but he claims that this is not the case.

His colleague and director at the Dutch FA, Henk Kessler, expects the subject of cross-border competitions to be raised the European football's governing body next month.

However, he says "at the moment, I don't think anybody is interested" in the idea of an Atlantic League.

"Uefa has started the Europa League, which seems to be quite successful and means more money for smaller clubs," said Kessler.

It had been reported that a number of Dutch clubs, including Feyenoord, were pushing for such an alliance, but they say they are not in favour of creating a North Atlantic League.

''I was angry to read that we were in favour of the idea," said a club spokesman. "In fact, we have no interest in the creation of such a league.''

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