Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell says Scottish football would benefit from increased competition if the Old Firm moved south. "There are only two teams that can win the league," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"If you accept that competition is the lifeblood of sport, the Scottish model is seriously challenged.

"If Celtic and Rangers did play in another environment, I think it would enhance the game because you would have more competition."

At a meeting in November, the English Premier League are to discuss the possibility of a two-tier set-up, which could involve the Glasgow sides.

However, when speculating about a future exit, Lawwell added: "When there is something to play for, the crowds go up.

"And, if we move, there may be some sort of interim solidarity payment to see the clubs through the transition."

Lawwell is convinced change is inevitable and believes Celtic have the potential to be a major European player if the club can escape the constraints of the Scottish Premier League.

"For certain, things won't stay the same," he said. "There are so many dynamics in world football at the moment and the world is getting smaller.

"We have very strong fundamentals. In the last Deloitte's report we were the eighth biggest club in the world for match-day takings.

"If we had the TV rights value that you get in England, then there is no barrier for Celtic.

"If you look at our story and compare it to Manchester United: the beginnings, the triumphs, the tragedies, the characters, they are almost identical.

"But we play in a country of five million people and Manchester United play in the most successful league in the world.

"We continually look in awe at what's happened in England. The English Premier League is an absolutely fantastic product."