Ibrox Exclusive: Alex Bruce reveals he would be in favour of Rangers playing in England
We’re delighted to welcome former Scottish Premiership defender Alex Bruce as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Rangers…
Alex Bruce has claimed that he would be in favour of Rangers joining the English footballing pyramid.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the former Kilmarnock defender suggested that he would support the prospect of the Gers making a move south, provided the rest of the Scottish Premiership was allowed to follow suit.
Ex-Ibrox striker Andy Gray recently raised the idea during an interview with beIN Sports, arguing that both the Gers and Celtic were in need of a sterner challenge on the pitch.
And Bruce has revealed that he would be willing to get behind any plan to integrate Scottish clubs into the English game.
When asked if he believed the Old Firm were worthy of playing in England during an interview with Ibrox News, he said: “I do. I think it would be great for English football, and British football in general, if Rangers and Celtic joined the English leagues.
“They are such huge clubs. However, they’re huge in Scotland, not necessarily in England.
“I think if they did come down south it would be a huge, huge loss to Scottish football. I think if they were to try and do it, they would have to integrate all the Scottish Premiership teams into the system, whatever league that might be, and they can try and work their way up.
“I think if you just took Celtic and Rangers it would be difficult.”
This is not the first time that the prospect of a move to England has been raised, with The Sun reporting earlier this year that emails were exchanged on the matter back in 2011.
However, an EFL statement from 2017 seemingly put pay to any chances of Scottish clubs joining the English game at any point in the near future, stating that “the inclusion of Premier League B Teams, clubs from non-English leagues or those outside the English football pyramid will not form part of any ongoing discussions” on potential reforms.
In other Rangers news, Kris Boyd urges Gers to consider summer move for Graeme Shinnie.