Celtic chiefs insist they voted against arch-rivals Rangers' application to the Scottish Premier League to protect 'the integrity of the game in Scotland'.
Newco Rangers must now wait to see where they will be playing
Celtic chiefs insist they voted against arch-rivals Rangers' application to the Scottish Premier League to protect 'the integrity of the game in Scotland'.
The Bhoys were one of the SPL sides who overwhelmingly blocked the application of the newco Rangers to the division at their AGM on Wednesday.
The Glasgow outfit admitted they were as worried by the financial implications as the other SPL sides at the loss of one of the biggest clubs in the country.
But the board brushed aside those fears, stating that the long-term future of the game was more important than their bank balance.
"Celtic Football Club today confirmed that it opposed readmission to the Scottish Premier League by Rangers newco," said a statement on their
official website.
Paramount importance
"Today's decision to refuse access into the SPL was an overwhelming one and demonstrates the depth of feeling amongst everyone involved in Scottish football.
"Fundamentally, the Celtic board has also been very mindful of the need to take what it believes to be the correct course of action in protecting the integrity of the game in Scotland.
"Throughout the whole sequence of events leading up to today's decision the Celtic Board has been of the singular view that the integrity of the game in Scotland is of paramount importance.
"Our only other consideration has been to protect the interests and rights of the club and our supporters."
