Ally McCoist, the assistant manager of Scottish soccer club Rangers and still the club's record goalscorer, has become the latest to call for the Old Firm to quit the Scottish Premier League.

The two clubs' desire to leave the SPL has only increased since the summer, when the forced renegotiation of the SPL's television deal after the collapse of Setanta left a situation where the champions of the SPL receive less television money than the team that finishes bottom of the English top flight.

"I think Rangers and Celtic need to be looking at the bigger picture," said McCoist to the Daily Mail newspaper. Currently, we are unable to compete financially with the likes of Wigan, Burnley, Hull City or Bolton. But, with respect, we are bigger clubs.

"We cannot compete with the market those clubs offer. We need a piece of the action. There will be miles and miles of debate and it may be a distant way off but, realistically, the future of the Old Firm, in my opinion, lies elsewhere."

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Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the Premier League, this week poured scorn on the idea of the two Glasgow giants moving south of the border, telling ESPN: "I don't think it's a serious proposition for a whole number of reasons...I see the benefits for Celtic and Rangers if they moved to our Premier League but I don't think our 20 clubs are going to vote to allow these clubs into our league."

McCoist concurs, and believes the Dutch FA's proposed North Atlantic League, featuring teams from Scotland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Scandinavia, is a more likely destination.

"I can only imagine most clubs in England, especially those in the Premier League, would reject the idea but I am optimistic it will happen," he said. "I would be more positive that a North Atlantic league might happen sooner - that would suit Rangers and Celtic.

"I don't think it's a crime that clubs should want to better themselves and if it's in a new league then so be it.

"Just look at the situation of our club at this time. It's incredible that Rangers is in debt and has to sell off first-team players but that is a statement about Scottish football. We have to do what is best for Rangers and Celtic people will say the same about their club."