By James Hegarty
July 31 2002
Both the Old Firm and the SPL are now in agreement about the TV deal and hopfully the deal should be finalised tomorrow that will see the BBC or Channel 5 providing TV Matchs on there stations plus Radio Coverage if the BBC get the deal and hopfully internet coverage in there somwhere.
Celtic and Rangers issued a joint statement showing there support for the deal by BBC Scotland.
The rest of the clubs outside the Old Firm have been waiting for the Old Firm to agree to the deal for a few days now and the meeting to reveal the deal will be tomorrow.
The 10 clubs outside the old firm originally fell out with the Old Firm when they refused to support the SPL TV channel which would be a Pay Per View channel on Sky TV.
Earlier today Channel 5 also confirmed there interest in a bid to provide live British action of SPL games next season.
The meeting this Wednesday will decide which deal will be picked between Channel 5 and BBC.
Though the BBC deal is likely to be favored due to the fact that Channel 5's deal is rumored to be smaller in value than the BBC Scotland deal.
It is also thought that Channel 5 will want to pick which games to show as they will be showing all over Britain and games like Partick Vs Dundee United may not appeal to people from Wales or England.
There is still a lot of talking to do before the deal is all but settled which includes working out how the deal is split etc.
In the past the Old Firm have been said to be too greedy and wanted too much money so hopefully this week all the clubs would get a fair share of the deal.
Celtic Chief Executive Ian McLeod told the BBC Website the following.
"Over recent weeks, both Celtic and Rangers have been working in conjunction with the SPL on an almost daily basis.
"I feel we have listened, made concessions to the many concerns raised but unfortunately have been denied the opportunity of concluding those discussions this week.
"The other 10 SPL clubs have been well aware of our willingness to agree the proposed TV deal and to continue discussions on the other outstanding matters but unfortunately have not given us the opportunity to do so.
"The other 10 clubs (have shown a) reticence to commit to a timescale which would give us a realistic chance to reach an agreement.
"Due to the lack of discussion in the early part of this week, this must cast doubt on the genuine intent of the other 10 clubs to progress our discussions to a successful conclusion."
Rangers chairman John McClelland also told the BBC website:
"I am delighted that after many months of discussion we have now completed broadcast television contracts which can only be good for all member clubs of the SPL and Scottish football in general.
We all now wait that hopefully by tomorrow night the BBC or Channel 5 will have a TV deal and should bring an end to some of the worrying about clubs struggling with no money.