Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says the Premiership NEEDS Celtic and Rangers.

Hoops legend O'Neill, now boss of Aston Villa, spoke out as EPL chiefs prepare to discuss Bolton chairman Phil Gartside's plan for change - including a 20-team EPL2 - at a London summit tomorrow.

Gartside needs the approval of the power brokers to take his idea forward and O'Neill is praying he gets it.

He told the Scottish Sun: "I would be in favour and it would be beneficial to the Premiership as it would make it stronger.

"I think it would naturally be a big benefit for Celtic and Rangers to come into the Premier League.

"In time those two football clubs would be massively big in the British game."