Craig Levein reckons Scottish football would thrive if Celtic and Rangers headed to the Premier League - with a nine-figure caveat.

The former Hearts boss admits he'd love to see Ange Postecoglou and Michael Beale's sides join the top-flight down south so long as it also benefitted the Scottish game.

While stopping short of the suggestion that this is the worst Scottish top-flight ever, Levein did state it is the least competitive league in Europe.

And for the ex-Scotland manager there is a simple solution - even if by his own admission it is a highly unlikely scenario - should Celtic and Rangers receive a Premier League call.

On the current state of the Scottish game, Levein told the Daily Record: “I hesitate to say if this is the poorest top flight because I’d need to see all the facts and figures from down the years.

“But what I would say is we’ve probably got the least competitive league in Europe.

“And the problems are the same as they were 20 years ago when my Hearts side finished third by whatever points gap you mentioned. They’re financial."

Levein continued to table his Premier League theory as he suggested Celtic and Rangers could be called upon to add some spice to the English top division.

The extreme hypothetical could be a win-win for both the Glasgow clubs but also Scottish clubs should a financial kickback be received, Levein theorised.

He called on Celtic and Rangers to take the opportunity if it is presented but urged a £100m payment to Scottish clubs for the "privilege" of heading to the riches of the Premier League.

In Levein's mind it would see Celtic and Rangers improve in a new setting while leaving "seven or eight clubs challenging for the title" in Scotland.

He said: “Joe Savage wants to split the Old Firm and that’s great. It’s a good ambition to have. But having that and making it happen are two completely different things.

“My views are very straight forward - when the next financial crisis happens in the Premier League in England and they are looking for something different then I would absolutely drive the Old Firm down there myself.

“I would love the two of them to play in England and represent Scotland, get the money that’s associated with that which would allow them to grow and be competitive in that league.

“And at the same time if they both gave the teams in Scotland £50m a year, so a combined £100m, for allowing them to move down there then that would allow the Scottish game to grow immeasurably.

“It’s a bit of a pipe dream maybe. But I can’t see any other way of Scottish football being as competitive as everyone wants it to be.

“If the Old Firm were playing in England and paying for the privilege - and they wouldn’t miss £50m each - then all the other teams up here could raise their levels significantly.

“Then you have a level in Scotland where you could have seven or eight clubs challenging for the title.

“Scottish football would thrive.”