Rangers chief executive Martin Bain is steeling himself for a prickly Scottish Premier League board meeting.

This follows the growing support across Europe for an Atlantic league. The prospect of an such a competition including the Old Firm has been backed by clubs from Holland, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden - news which will not be welcomed by the rest of the teams in the SPL.

The Scottish top-flight clubs meet today for their monthly summit, with perhaps more than normal to discuss on this occasion.

The Old Firm have once again reiterated their desire to quit Scottish football, with both clubs keen to explore any plans which would allow them to play in England.

Bain has also expressed interest in an Atlantic league, following reports that Dutch football association president Michael van Praag plans to lobby UEFA on the issue.

"I'm sure one or two will have a few words to say to me, but we can handle that," said Bain.

"We have to explore any opportunity that comes our way in the same way that clubs have asked for an opportunity to explore an SPL 1 and an SPL 2.

"But we've got huge respect for the SPL and huge respect for the Scottish clubs that we play week in, week out.

"All we are saying as a football club is that if anything comes our way, whether it's in Scotland or beyond, we have to look at it and we have a responsibility to do so."

Despite UEFA saying yesterday they would be opposed to an Atlantic league, Bain's view is shared by Dutch powerhouses Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven, Belgian giants Anderlecht, Danish side Brondby and Swedish club AIK Stockholm.

Feyenoord spokesman Gido Vader said in the Daily Record: "It is important we don't slip even further behind the rest of the clubs in Europe. We have been having financial problems so it is something we'd all be interested in pursuing."

PSV media chief Pedro Salazar-Hewitt said: "We will always be open for creating a new situation and we know UEFA is aware of this problem. Any talks would be welcome by us."

Anderlecht communications manager David Stegen said: "The Atlantic league would be a formula we would be delighted to be involved in and interested in joining."

Brondby sports manager Anders Bjerregaard said: "We are positive about new actions and we would listen to what the concept is about."

AIK Stockholm sporting director Bjorn Wesstrom said: "We wouldn't rule it out."

But Danish giants FC Copenhagen believe the competition would compromise their Champions League ambitions.

Club secretary Charles Maskelyne said: "If you are qualifying for the Champions League group stage then when can you fit in an Atlantic league? It is not really an option for us."