Source: Team_Talk
Gers director doubts PL switch
Under proposals being championed by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside, Celtic and Rangers would be invited into the new set-up.
The Old Firm have long hankered after the riches of the Premier League but McClelland, who is also vice-president of the European Club Association, was lukewarm about the Gartside plan.
McClelland said: "It's no secret that some years ago we did express an interest, along with our colleagues at Celtic, in joining the English Premier League.
"That didn't happen but it has come up again from proposals from the south. There has been nothing formal and if there is we will consider it, but we are not holding our breath."
Asked about the implications of having to start in the second tier of a new league, McClelland said: "Those are the considerations that would have to be taken into account by Rangers and Celtic if that proposal did materialise.
"In some ways, it could be a financial benefit. In other ways, there might for example be no European football and that's a pretty important financial benefit for us.
"We have always said that at some point in time we would be interested in playing in the English Premier League but this proposal is something a bit different from that straightforward movement.
"We are not pushing it; we will see what happens. He [Gartside] has been in touch with the clubs since it was revealed but no detailed proposal has been put to us."
McClelland also predicted footballers' wages will fall across the board over the next few years apart from the very top stars.
Rangers chairman Sir David Murray has already heralded the end of the £20,000-a-week player at the club and McClelland views a general downturn.
He added: "I'm not saying wages will collapse but I don't think in years to come players will earn what they have done in the last few years, so that will be a levelling of the playing field.
"I don't think clubs like Rangers will pay the kind of wages we have in the past and generally wages will tail off apart from the very, very big clubs and big stars."
McClelland also expressed fears over the continuing uncertainty regarding the TV deal with Setanta.
"Clearly it is a concern across the board for us and other organisations contracted with Setanta," he said McClelland.
"The SPL board met last week and we are now working on the issue."
