BSB chief open to Rangers move

Blue Square Bet Premier chairman Brian Lee has refused to rule out the possibility of Rangers joining his division.

Last Updated: 15/01/13 at 16:43 Post Comment

Rangers: Won't be allowed into Blue Square Bet Premier

Rangers: Won't be allowed into Blue Square Bet Premier

The Glasgow giants have indicated they could seek to quit Scottish football if league reconstruction plans are approved.

Lee is well aware that any attempts by Rangers to switch south of the border would be met by a number of obstacles.

But he believes such problems are "not insurmountable" and the issue is set to be discussed at a club summit on January 21.

Lee told TalkSport: "On Monday we have a mid-season meeting of clubs so that is a topic for conversation.

"It's up to the clubs to make rule changes.

"There are one or two problems, of course. It's up to FIFA whether a club can change countries or not, so that's the first issue.

"And the second, and probably the most important, is the problem it would create with promotion and relegation and having an uneven number of teams.

"It would be wrong if the Football League would not take Rangers as part of the promotion and relegation system.

"Otherwise they would be in the Conference keeping out a team who might have the wherewithal to go higher in the pyramid.

"But they are not insurmountable problems.

"You will have to have the co-operation of a lot of different organisations to make it possible, but where there is a will there is a way."

Rangers chief executive Charles Green is unhappy with plans for a 12-12-18 league format, which have been agreed on in principle by the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League.

If approved, the reforms could be introduced as early as next season, leaving Irn-Bru Third Division leaders Rangers facing a second season in the bottom tier regardless of title success.

Faced with such a scenario, the Ibrox chief wants the Light Blues to explore opportunities to play their football elsewhere.

Green, who has proposed an alternative 14-14-14 format, believes Rangers fans would back a move to the fifth tier of English football.

Speaking on TalkSport last week, he said: "I could join the Conference and I would be in a higher league than I'm in. It doesn't matter to me (which league Rangers are in).

"I can tell you this, if the only option is to go into England and start at the lowest level, I believe Rangers fans would support that."

Meanwhile, Rangers will allow Francesco Stella to quit the club after the Australian failed to force his way into boss Ally McCoist's plans.

The 21-year-old - who came through the youth system at Italian side Chievo before moving to Siena - signed in the summer following a two-week trial.

He has endured a frustrating lack of first-team action this season and has been given the go-ahead to find another club.

McCoist told the Rangers website: "Francesco has made it clear to us that he is disappointed at the lack of first team matches, which I totally understand.

"We will not stand in his way because we feel at this stage he wouldn't benefit the first team.

"He is in the process of leaving the club now and he goes with our best wishes."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m absolutely disgusted that I've been misquoted in saying that if a chance came up to join Arsenal I would be interested. What I meant to say is if Man United or Chelsea were interested......

gulliver
Agent cools Benteke exit talk

L

FC league positions and points from last 4 seasons - 7 (61), 8 (52), 6 (58), 7 (63). Werner calls it progress, I call it mid table stability.

kolev_lfc
Reds progress delights Werner

I

s there a PR agency covering Begovich, Odemwingie, Steven Fletcher and Grant Holt or something? Why would you offer a quote like that without having been announced by either club. #headsshoulderskneesandtoesgone

Havelange
Begovic hints at Liverpool move

Footer 365

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has signed a one-year contract extension

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has signed a one-year contract extension to tie him to the club until 2017.

Premier League: Michael Laudrup insists he wants to stay at Swansea

Michael Laudrup insists he wants to stay at Swansea - as long as they keep their word and strengthen this summer.

Transfer news: Liverpool's Martin Skrtel open to offers at Anfield

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel would seriously consider his future at Anfield if he received an offer from elsewhere.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved