Former Celtic striker Joe Craig believes an Atlantic league would be an "absolute disaster" for the Old Firm.

The idea has been resurrected by Michael van Praag, the president of the Dutch Football Association, who has revealed he plans to lobby UEFA on the issue.

The prospect of Celtic and Rangers competing against clubs from Holland, Belgium, Portugal and Scandinavia was first mooted at the end of the 1990s but never took off.

The plans have been welcomed by Rangers chief executive Martin Bain, although his Celtic counterpart Peter Lawwell last week branded the concept "Frankenstein."

As far as Craig is concerned, he simply cannot see how such a league could work in practice.

"It would capture the imagination at home but away from home it would be an absolute disaster," he said.

"Imagine playing Anderlecht on a Tuesday night when guys have got to be back at their work the next day.

"I just don't think it would happen. I don't know if they are doing it for football reasons or financial reasons and that's the crux of the matter.

"It's the financial aspect of it. We know in this country we will never compete with the likes of Manchester United but we never have. Nothing has changed."

Celtic are more open to the idea of joining the Barclays Premier League, or the second tier of a restructured system south of the border, but Craig insists the Old Firm should remain in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

"I can understand it," he said. "Financially, it would be a bonus for the clubs to go and play in bigger leagues and compete with the best.

"But, personally, I'm against it. This is the country they play in.

"Even if you look at Spain, there are only two teams who dominate that league. The same with Germany and Holland.

"You can go through most of the European leagues and there are only two or three teams who dominate.

"I can understand why they want to do it. I just think it's wrong."

Celtic were, of course, the first British club to win the European Cup back in 1967.

And, asked whether such a feat would ever be possible again if the Old Firm did remain in the SPL, Craig admitted: "That's a really difficult question. But, when you look back, history tells you yes.

"This club won the European Cup in 1967 with guys who stayed no more than 20 miles from the club. It can be done."

Meanwhile, UEFA have confirmed they would be not be in favour of the idea of an Atlantic league in principle.

Rob Faulkner, head of communications, told Press Association Sport: "Our principle is that we are against cross-border leagues but if they want to officially propose something they can do so and it will then go through the correct channels.

"Our view is that clubs should compete in their own domestic championship and qualify for Europe that way."