Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies believes regular talk of the Old Firm leaving Scottish Football will one day be backed up by action.

The idea for Rangers and Celtic to compete against clubs from Holland, Belgium, Portugal and Scandinavia in an Atlantic league was first mooted more than a decade ago but failed to materialise.

However, the idea has returned to the agenda this week after the president of the Dutch football association, Michael van Praag, revealed he plans to lobby UEFA on the issue.

Van Praag - a leading member of UEFA's executive committee - is confident the climate is now right for a radical change in European football.

While the Old Firm would prefer an invite to England, Rangers chief executive Martin Bain claimed Van Praag's revelation was of "great interest".

Jefferies has heard it all before but accepts that one day change may occur.

"I've had this conversation so many times," he said.

"Football is a changing game so somewhere down the line you think it is a possibility.

"The Old Firm are massive clubs but in Europe they are up against clubs who have the money and so they are being left behind - just the way clubs in the SPL are being left behind by Celtic and Rangers.

"I just worry about the financial aspect but maybe that will be down to how exciting we can make the league without them.

"I can't see it being in the next few years but you don't know what's happening behind the scenes."

Jefferies has been boosted by the return of skipper Kevin Kyle for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hibernian at Easter Road.

Kyle missed the 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Rugby Park almost two weeks ago with a knee injury but is back in training and is in contention.

"I'm encouraged by the way the team played against Aberdeen in the last game," Jefferies said.

"We created enough chances to win the game, as we did against Falkirk and Rangers in the two games before that, and hopefully, with Kyle back, we will get a goal or two against Hibs."