What should be the next step for the Scottish giants?

The so-called Phoenix League put forward by a number of First Division chairmen has been flatly rejected by English football's 20 elite club chairmen.

The proposal to cut the number of clubs to 18 and introduce a Premiership second division also included plans to allow the Old Firm to play in England.

But the decision to stick with the current format means Celtic and Rangers are left with little option other than to apply to join the Football League and climb up the ranks.

Is it a step too far for two proud clubs with their own places in Europe?

This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails appear below.

If Welsh teams can play in the English league and still have their own national team, then why can't the Scots?
Richard Hughson, UK

It's hardly a national game anymore! How many players in either Celtic or Rangers are actually Scottish? In fact, there are so many foreign players in the Premiership; it's hard to tell which league you are watching. Quite frankly I've lost interest in the whole thing, the whole game is driven by money - if you have got it you in, if not, you are out.
Keith, England

I would love to see Celtic and Rangers in the English top flight. Yes it would seem unfair to the likes of Wolves who have been trying for a long time to gain promotion however, what matters is the game and the supporters. We deserve to see the best and that includes the old firm. I would gladly take all that back if the much talked about Super League was born.
Phil, Australia

Celtic and Rangers would struggle in the Premiership and their attendances would plummet. Remember how many Rangers fans were at Ibrox in the couple of seasons before Souness arrived? Virtually every one of the 50,000 who now go to Ibrox claim they were one of the 10,000 who were at some of these games!
Jambo, Scotland

If Celtic and Rangers do not wish to play in the SPL, which they clearly do not, then they should be removed from the fixture list forthwith. Why should I pay money to watch my team play against teams who are only turning up because they can't get a game anywhere else. It's not that they are playing at a level far superior to everyone else, eg on Wednesday night I watched Hibernian F.C. draw 1 - 1 with Rangers at Ibrox.
John, Scotland

If Rangers and Celtic join the English leagues then will big teams who dominate Portugal such as Benfica and Porto join the Spanish league, or big Austrian teams join the German league. What is the point of a national game if it becomes international.
Neil, England, England

The fact the Premiership had a vote on the issue is major progress. Rangers and Celtic WILL be playing Premiership football in three years time once the current TV deal has run out. Remember you heard it here first.
Derek, Scotland

I don't know why the Old Firm would want to waste their time playing "Mickey Mouse" teams in England in a second rate league. They can do that in Scotland. When the TV deals are renegotiated in a couple of years, the FA will go to Rangers and Celtic (cap in hand), and beg them to join the Premiership. Only Man Utd have greater commercial appeal than either half of the Old Firm.
Rob, UK

As a Celtic fan I feel it is a great opportunity missed as it would breath some life into a league which despite a likely close finish this year has began to lose its sparkle in commercial and media terms.
Michael, England

The Premier League should never say never. When the bubble bursts in a few years time they may change their minds.
Kelly, Scotland

I find it absolutely hilarious that Rangers expect to join the English Premiership, particularly at a time when their second place in the SPL is under threat from teams such as Aberdeen and Livingston.
Chris Roy, Scotland

Celtic and Rangers should leave Scotland even if it means playing in the English first division because they would go straight up anyway. They need to play constantly at a higher level to compete in Europe. Also the game in Scotland may flourish because of this.
Kristian, Ireland

How cares about the Premiership? If they can't see a good thing when offered, so be it. Celtic and Rangers would eventually get bored playing the likes of Derby, Charlton and Leicester and may as well be playing Dundee who would give them a better game!!

I think that the suggestion of a European league is the way forward. Imagine the crowds and television viewers for Celtic vs AC Milan or Rangers vs Liverpool, week in week out. The Old Firm should join a European league and then see how many Premiership clubs desert a sinking ship!
Henrik, Sweden

Perform in the Uefa Cup and Champions League and earn some respect instead of moaning about the Premiership.
Andrew, UK

Rangers and Celtic are big clubs, but they don't have a divine right to a seat at the top table. If they want to join the Premier League they should prove they are worthy by earning promotion from the Nationwide League. Many clubs like Wolves have been fighting to get into the Premier League, without success, for years, and it would make a mockery of their efforts if the Scottish clubs could be "elected" to the Premier League.
Darren, Isle of man

English clubs are just running scared of The Old Firm. Bringing with them two quality sides and a fanatical support the likes of which can only be matched in South America. The Old Firm would not only enhance The Premiership but would soon be challenging for the title itself.
Peter McAllister, Scotland

Who needs the Premiership? What is required is a restructuring of the Champions League and Uefa Cup to ensure the Old Firm get to play more games against the bigger clubs and hence earn more money. The Old Firm are too big to be snubbed by the English. Celtic have made incredible advances already without the "assistance" of the English Premiership.
Paul Camplin, England

So the Chairmen have given the Premier League a vote of confidence! This means the current league will be replaced in a month or so's time with something new.
Colin McCosh, UK

A step too far? What did they expect? They should be told that if they want to join the Premiership, they should start in Division Four like any other new team. The SFA should also step in and tell them to either stop moaning like kids not allowed on a school trip, or get out!
Dasbo, Scotland

Celtic and Rangers and a number of other top European clubs, including the big English, French, Spanish, German and Italian clubs, should form a breakaway league of their own. Not a new idea but one that increasingly makes sense. Surely everybody would much rather be watching Liverpool or Celtic play the likes of Real Madrid or Juventus week in week out, instead of Derby or Dundee.
Matthew, England