Celtic and Rangers Lunch That Nearly Transformed Scottish Football

Former Football League chairman Keith Harris revealed details of a 2002 plan for Celtic and Rangers to enter the English Championship. Speaking on the Keys and Gray Unleashed podcast, Harris claimed the move would have generated £40 million annually in extra broadcast revenue. Under the proposal, the division would have temporarily expanded to 26 clubs to ensure no English sides were displaced.

The terms required both Glasgow clubs to forfeit potential promotion during their initial two seasons in the league. Harris dealt separately with Dermot Desmond and David Murray, noting broad agreement from Scottish authorities before the initiative collapsed when media reports leaked ahead of the 2002 FA Cup final.