Craig Levein says he would love to sign off on Celtic and Rangers playing in England.
The former Hearts boss believes such a move would have a positive impact on the rest of Scottish football.
Levein, who left Tynecastle in May of this year, would like to see a more competitive environment.
Celtic are aiming for their tenth successive title this season, with Rangers currently top of the table.
Speaking on BBC Scotland, Levein said: “Until both of the Old Firm teams leave and go down to England – with my best wishes – then we are not going to have a competitive league.
“I would love that (to sign off on their move), absolutely. I would let them go.
“They would have to pay a hefty price to go, mind.
“In Scotland, if the Old Firm were playing in the English Premier League, you tell me who would win the league up here?
“Or how many teams would be capable. The rest, absolutely.
“And not only that, with the extra money the teams can get better and do well in Europe as well.
“I just think football is changing all the time and they’re talking about having European leagues at some point and I would love to see a level playing field in Scottish football.
“We’d be back to the situation where the top team would be two or three times the salary of the bottom team.
“I just want the league to be more competitive, basically.
“The chances of winning a trophy are pretty slim if you’re not one of the Old Firm.
“There’s Aberdeen, probably the third biggest spending club in Scotland who have won one trophy in the last seven or eight years.”
