Scottish Premier League chief executive Neil Doncaster remains steadfast in his view that Rangers and Celtic will not be leaving for England.

Celtic’s largest shareholder Dermot Desmond recently suggested the influence media organisations wield would lead to the Old Firm eventually joining England’s Premier League.

But last year, Premier League clubs voted to reject a proposal to invite Rangers and Celtic into the English top flight.

And Doncaster was adamant again on Wednesday that the clubs would be staying in the Scottish Premier League.

He told Sky Sports News: “We all have dreams for our clubs but I prefer to live in the day-to-day reality of where we are.

“Rangers and Celtic are an important part of what we’ve got in the SPL and I foresee them being here for the foreseeable future.

“They are Scottish clubs and they’re in the SPL. I’ve got to deal with the reality of what faces me on a day-to-day basis, which is improving the environment as best I can for all Scottish clubs and that includes Rangers and Celtic.

“They are a fundamental part of Scottish football and I foresee that being the case ad infinitum.”

New Stoke City loan signing Jermaine Pennant is hoping to impress enough to make a permanent return to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old signed for the Potters from Real Zaragoza on transfer deadline day until January but has set his sights further than just the New Year.

“I’ve missed the Premier League,” he told Sky Sports News. “I’ve also missed having a team meet and understanding the instructions I’m getting.

“I’m just going to play the best I can and see what happens.

“My first mission is to help Stoke climb the table. If in January I can get a permanent move, great.

“The gaffer said he’s hoping for a top-10 finish. He believes it and we believe it too.”

Pennant could be in line for a home debut for his new boss Tony Pulis when Stoke entertain Aston Villa on Monday 13th September.

Stoke can be backed at 2.37 with Villa 3.10 and the draw 3.25 on the Full Time Result market.

Pennant expects his old club Liverpool, who missed out on the top four last term, to have a much better season under new boss Roy Hodgson.

“Liverpool’s always going to be a massive club,” he said. “Last season was very disappointing for them.

“Roy’s got a lot of players in. I’m sure they can go for the title and definitely finish in the top four.”

Liverpool can be backed at 2.75 to finish in the top four this season.

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New Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart has claimed Liverpool were interested in signing him this summer but has dismissed reports Bayern Munich also wanted him.

Van der Vaart last week completed a dramatic last-gasp £8million transfer deadline day move to Premier League Tottenham from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had suggested Bayern had bid £18million for the Holland midfielder but this was denied by Madrid, while Van der Vaart said the German club had not made a “concrete” offer.

The 27-year-old now says Bayern were not interested but that Liverpool had wanted to secure his services.

He told Sky Sports News: “Liverpool were interested, Bayern were never interested, but you have to have a good feeling and this manager gave me a good feeling and I am really happy to be going to Spurs.”

Van der Vaart revealed his international team-mates who already played for Barclays Premier League clubs were pressing him to join them in England.

“They were telling me that I should come to England; now I am going to be playing in England and am very proud,” he said.

Van der Vaart is likely to make his Spurs debut on Saturday 11th September as the London side travel to take on West Brom.

Betting for the Premier League clash has Tottenham at 1.90 to get the away win, with West Brom 3.75 and the draw available at 3.25.

Don’t forget, all Premier League matches are covered by the bet365 100% Euro Soccer Bonus, where you could earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns on pre-match accumulator bets.

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New Stoke City signing Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his debut in their next Barclays Premier League game against Aston Villa if he can get match fit in time.

The former Chelsea, Tottenham and Bolton striker was one of three deadline day signings for Stoke who also secured the services of defender Marc Wilson and winger Jermaine Pennant.

Gudjohnsen spent the second half of last season at White Hart Lane but started only four games before returning to Monaco, where he had failed to impress after moving from Barcelona in the summer of 2009.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis said of the 31-year-old: “He’s a fantastic player and will provide that little bit more quality that we want. He’s looking to come in and make an impact.

“He’s a fantastic professional. To play where he’s played and to have that record, that speaks volumes for the lad and his character.”

Gudjohnsen is not match fit but Stoke do not play again until the home game against Villa on 13th September, and Pulis is hoping he will be in contention.

“He’ll do a mini pre-season and we hope he’ll be close when we play again,” added the Potters boss on Sky Sports News.

Stoke have had a disappointing start to the season, with losses to Wolves, Tottenham and Chelsea, but Pulis is hoping his new recruits, coupled with the earlier signings of Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters, can make a difference.

He added: “It shows the way the club’s moved on but we’ve got to make sure they come in and have the same attitude as the rest of the players. If they do that then hopefully they’ll make us a better team.”

Full Time Result betting for the Midlands derby has Stoke at 2.30 to pick up the win, Aston Villa can be backed at 2.87 while the draw is 3.25.

Stoke are currently 5.00 to be relegated from the Premier League 2010/11.

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has dismissed reports that a possible move for him to Fulham was one of the reasons behind Martin O’Neill’s shock resignation.

Friedel was the first player to speak publically about O’Neill’s departure, and the American admits that he was surprised at his decision having taken training yesterday.

There was speculation that Friedel was being allowed to join the Cottagers in addition to James Milner going to Manchester City.

But Friedel told Sky Sports News: “That story was made up. I’ve never had contact from Fulham or with Fulham.

“I never had a conversation with Martin O’Neill about Fulham. I really don’t know where that came from.”

Friedel will be in goal for Saturday’s visit of West Ham and he insists that the squad’s focus is on getting a win and that they are fully behind caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald.

Full Time Result betting has Aston Villa at 1.90 to get the early win, while it is 4.33 that West Ham emerge victorious and 3.30 that it is a draw.

He said: “We are all surprised (about O’Neill leaving). Yesterday was training as normal and I was just sitting at home with the kiddies when the news came up on television.

“Today we had our meetings about going forward and it’s down to us now to do the right thing for the club and get three points against West Ham.

“We were just told Kevin MacDonald is taking charge and it’s just our duty as players to get ready for West Ham. We trained as normal.

“Kevin is well respected by all the players and training was good this morning.

“All the lads really put the work in. Hopefully it won’t be an issue and we can get the three points.”

Out-of-favour central defender Curtis Davies has claimed he was one of several players not given a fair crack of the whip by O’Neill, as he was one of six players transfer listed this summer.

He said: “I was shocked about Martin O’Neill going. I got home, got a text that the gaffer resigned, and it was true. I didn’t see it coming to be honest.

“But a lot of players have been frustrated by not having a fair crack of the whip and I’m one of them.

“There is no guarantee whoever comes in is going to play you or not play you.

“But if you feel you have got a chance, then you are happy. As long as someone who comes in who is fair, I am sure people will be happy. I felt I didn’t have a chance.”

The current leading contenders for the vacancy at Villa Park are US coach Bob Bradley (4.00), former Spurs boss Martin Jol (9.00) and former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson (9.00).

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