Rangers boss Mark Warburton has hit out at plans which could transform the Champions League into a closed shop accessible only to Europe’s biggest clubs.

The Ibrox manager is concerned after Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge raised the prospect of a continental super-league made up of 20 clubs from England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France.

Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster subsequently warned of a “sinister” plot to deny champions from smaller countries the opportunity to play in Europe’s elite tournament.

Rangers still have ambitions of rejoining Europe’s elite as they close in on promotion back to Scotland’s top flight. But Warburton fears the dominance of commercial interests over sporting merit may take the opportunity to play on the biggest stage in club football away from the Light Blues.

He said: “It has to concern us. If that is true and if that is a process that has been started, then anyone outside of the circle would quite rightly voice concern because it’s called the Champions League for a reason.

“It’s the champions of the various countries.

“Hopefully, dialogue and discussion will go ahead and they can maintain it as it is. The fact of the matter is that you have to qualify for it. If you are a small club that has a fantastic year and gets in, then fantastic.

“You should reap the rewards for it I think.”