Strachan was Southampton boss when the issue was raised seriously in 2001 and the proposal emphatically thrown out by Premiership chairmen.

Having spent two successful years at Celtic - winning the Bank of Scotland Premier League in both seasons - Strachan believes the time is right for the Hoops and Rangers to take on the best England has to offer.

"If you add Celtic and Rangers to it, it would be just mind-blowing," Strachan said in an interview with the BBC's Football Focus.

Asked whether he thought a deal could happen, Strachan added: "I hope so, as long as it's not going to affect the rest of the clubs in Scotland.

"I'd like to be able to protect them at the same time.

"For Celtic and Rangers to play in the English Premiership, I think it would be absolutely fantastic."

When the issue came up in 2001, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore stressed that the league could "see no practical way, nor any sound commercial reasons" to admit Celtic and Rangers.

Scudamore said that only clubs promoted from the Football League could be admitted, prompting suggestions Celtic and Rangers could initially seek admission to what is now the Coca-Cola Championship.

Tonight, Celtic fans' chief Peter Rafferty welcomed Strachan's interest in a move to the Premiership.

Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs, told PA Sport: "I think it would be good for the club.

"It obviously would be a major challenge for Celtic for definite. For our fan base all over the UK it would be great news and we would guarantee big crowds at home and a great following away.

"In England they've now got huge TV deals, but even so, not all the games are glamour games, it tends to be only when the top four or five teams are involved that everyone gets interested.

"We could certainly add to that."