THE Old Firm might currently be locked in a battle for this season's SPL title - but they are both forging ahead with their plans for the next campaign.

Celtic, who will head off to La Manga for a training camp following their home clash with Aberdeen this weekend to assist their preparations for the run-in, could well have the option of two big pre-season tournaments in the summer.

Gordon Strachan's men have been invited to take part in the Wembley Cup on July 25 and July 26 and would face either Barcelona, Spurs or Egyptian champions Al-Ahly at the home of English football during the two-day tournament.

But they also have the option, providing they win the title and avoid taking part in Champions League qualifiers, of entering the lucrative Peace Cup in Spain. The 12-team tournament, which boasts big-name outfits such as Real Madrid and Juventus, takes place between July 24 and August 2.

The winners of the competition will rake in around £1.8million, with the runners-up banking £900,000 and the two losing semi-finalists earning £450,000 each.

It's believed Rangers have already rejected the opportunity to take part in the event even if they should win the title.

The draw for the Peace Cup will take place in Seville this Thursday, and a spokesman for the organisers insists Celtic will be involved.

Dennis D'Arcy said: "Celtic's involvement is subject to them winning the SPL because they would have a Champions League qualifier at the same time should they come second.

"It had been reported that the winners of the SPL would be invited, but I believe Rangers have another tournament in mind."

The Ibrox club are set to take part in a four-team Emirates Cup hosted by Arsenal, which will also involve Inter Milan and Paris St Germain - managed by former Gers gaffer Paul Le Guen - on August 1/2.

It could earn Rangers as much as £750,000 providing they take an allocation of more than 10,000 tickets.

The Ibrox club, depending on whether they have Champions League qualifying matches to prepare for, will also have a pre-season training camp with several European destinations being looked at.

The opening Champions League qualifiers take place on July 29 and August 5 for whichever half of the Old Firm doesn't win the title, with the final qualifiers staged on August 19 and 26. The league winners go straight into the group stages.

The new SPL season will start on August 15 - four days after Scotland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo.