Whether Rangers and Celtic should eventually swap the Scottish Premiership for the riches of the English league system remains an age-old debate that has fascinated supporters on both sides of the border for decades.

While modern discussions often centre on cross-border television revenue or UEFA super-leagues, history shows that genuine attempts have been made to drag the Ibrox side into the English football pyramid.

Indeed, controversial former Rangers chief executive Charles Green recently hit headlines after opening up about an audacious, abandoned scheme he drew up during the club’s 2012 financial crisis. Green revealed he considered buying English non-league club Stafford Rangers, renaming them simply ‘Rangers’, and fielding Ibrox’s first team in England.

Yet, while Green’s madcap proposal eventually fell apart, an earlier and far more credible institutional plan nearly pulled off the impossible at the turn of the millennium.

Rangers were a whisker away from joining the EFL – Richard Keys

Speaking on the latest episode of the Keys & Gray Unleashed podcast, veteran broadcaster Richard Keys detailed behind-the-scenes discussions led by Keith Harris during his stint as Football League chairman between 2000 and 2002.

According to Keys, Harris worked tirelessly during his tenure at the helm of the EFL to integrate Glasgow’s two powerhouses into the English pyramid, coming within inches of finalising what many viewed as the “holy grail” of British football.

Keith Harris had two years as the chair of the Football League, during which time he nearly pulled off the ultimate – the holy grail – which was to get Rangers and Celtic to play football in England. Keith was on the cusp of making this happen. He was a whisker away, the width of a cigarette paper away from making that happen.

While English Football League clubs in the Championship were understood to be extremely receptive to the vast commercial opportunities and travelling support that Rangers would bring, the proposal hit an unyielding wall when presented to Premier League executives.

Keys explained that while EFL teams recognised the mutual financial windfall, Premier League clubs harboured deep-seated anxieties over the sheer scale, historical stature, and long-term commercial power of the Scottish giants.

I think the Championship clubs were [receptive]. The Premier League have always resisted. They were slightly concerned about the enormity of the two clubs and the impact that they could have. I think Premier League clubs would have been turkeys not to open the door.

Andy Gray makes ‘mind-blowing’ Rangers claim after hearing Keith Harris’ EFL plan

Co-host and former Rangers striker Andy Gray believes entering the EFL would have fundamentally altered the course of Ibrox history. While acknowledging that earning promotion out of a relentless 46-game Championship campaign would present a stern sporting test, Gray argued that the immediate cash surge would have swiftly launched Rangers into the Premier League.

I’m amazed how close Keith got to pulling this off. I think for Celtic and Rangers, it would have been life-changing. We’re assuming with the increased funds and financial clout that they would get, plus what they already had, there’s a fair chance that within maybe two or three years that both would be playing in the Premier League. For Rangers and Celtic, that would be mind-blowing.

However, 24 years on from Harris stepping down as the EFL chairman, Rangers and Celtic still ply their trade in the Scottish football system.