'Old Firm would struggle in England'

TONY Mowbray has warned Celtic and Rangers that even if they did negotiate a passage into the English Premier League, the Old Firm would struggle to pose any threat to the leading sides south of the Border.

The former Parkhead skipper, now manager of the Premier League's bottom side West Bromwich Albion, has experienced first hand just how difficult life in the top-flight can be, and while acknowledging that the Glasgow pair had the potential to benefit enormously financially, he suggested they would face an uphill battle to mount a challenge to the big four in England.

Mowbray spent four years as a player with Celtic and had a successful spell as manager of Hibernian before moving to The Hawthorns two-and-a-half years ago.

The Premier League are due to discuss the possibility of revamping the competition in the summer, with the two Scottish giants possibly being involved.

But Mowbray believes there would be no guarantees of Rangers and Celtic being as successful south of the Border.

He said: "I think Celtic and Rangers fans would want to come and compete in the Premier League. The Old Firm would relish the chance to come to England because they are huge football clubs with huge support. Yet there are huge clubs with huge support in this country that can't get anywhere near the top four.

"There are some clubs in the division that are massive and never seem to get anywhere near Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal – so why would Celtic and Rangers?

"It won't be because they attract 60,000 fans every week. Would they be able to attract better players than, for instance, a Newcastle United? I don't know. So why would they be any better than a Newcastle United?

"There are a lot of teams who would love to be at the top end of the Premier League and they aren't because they haven't got the quality players those teams have got.

"I think Celtic and Rangers would relish the opportunity but it doesn't necessarily mean that they would catapult themselves into the top six in England because it is a very competitive league."

More immediately, Mowbray's thoughts are on trying to revive Albion's faint hopes of top-flight survival as they gear up for the away clash at Tottenham on Sunday. The Baggies are six points adrift of fourth from bottom but ended a run of 11 games without a win by defeating Sunderland 3-0 last weekend.

Mowbray said: "Spurs have got some world class players and their own aspirations of finishing seventh. We know it will be tough for us but we know we can give them a few problems. If we win that, we've got Wigan at home and if we win that...let's wait and see.

"For me, it is about the next game. I don't want to look at the bigger picture. It is very difficult for us and yet I am not going to say we are definitely going down or we can get back in the hunt."

Scotland midfielder James Morrison and central defender Abdoulaye Meite are unlikely to have recovered from heel and hamstring problems respectively in time for the trip to White Hart Lane.