Premier League chairman have voted overwhelmingly against a proposal to allow Celtic and Rangers to join the English top-flight.
Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside had table a proposal which would allow the two Scottish Premier League giants to join a new two-tiered league encompassing up to 40 teams.
However at a meeting of existing league chairman, the idea was rejected after being branded: "not desirable or viable".
"Bolton Wanderers submitted a discussion paper detailing ideas concerning the restructuring of the Premier League into two tiers with the inclusion of Celtic and Rangers," read a Premier League statement.
"The clubs welcomed the additional input into an ongoing process, however, they were of the opinion that bringing Celtic and Rangers into any form of Premier League set-up was not desirable or viable.
"The other relevant ideas contained within Bolton's paper will now be taken forward as part of the wider strategic review being undertaken by the Premier League since November 2008 with the aim of providing recommendations before December 2010."
Several current Premier League managers, including Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill and Everton's David Moyes had recently backed the proposal to allow Celtic and Rangers to make the move.
The idea had received a hostile reception when it was first aired at a previous meeting of chairmen earlier in the year.
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