Celtic’s fixture schedule is currently jam-packed as Brendan Rodgers takes on four competitions this season at Parkhead.
The Celtic boss is into the League Cup semi-final with Aberdeen in November, making an assault on the Champions League and is holding Celtic’s position at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and after the New Year, will be looking to defend his Scottish Cup.
Because of this, the Bhoys have found a number of their fixtures being moved to accommodate television broadcasters so when Celtic rejected the option to take part in Premier Sports’ 20-game broadcasting deal, it was a decision welcomed by many Hoops supporters.
And it’s a view shared by Parkhead boss, Brendan Rodgers.
Brendan Rodgers hails Celtic for prioritising fans
The amount of hassle caused to the Celtic fans who need to change their plans for the rejigged fixture schedule is a burden that’s wearing thin on them.
And Rodgers recognises that as he praises Celtic for their Premier Sports stance.
Rodgers told the Daily Record, “I think the club has shown they have really thought about the supporters.
“They could have easily taken the money. But they have kept it there for supporters who come and see the games. It’s a shame, it would have been a great game for television, but it’s not to be.
“It allows us to get a good run into next week and a bit of recovery time before we play again on the Wednesday (against Atalanta in the Champions League).
“We will be ready to go. You can’t win really when it comes to this kind of thing. But the club have put the fans first – and that is important.”
Brendan Rodgers addresses the ever-changing Celtic schedule
So whilst many Celtic supporters are annoyed with the constant re-scheduling of the team’s fixtures, it seems Rodgers is not too impressed either as he makes a point of specifically addressing the issue.
Rodgers continued, “Celtic get a lot of fixtures moved. That is why I was so happy for the supporters at Ross County. Thousands of them travelled every which way to get to Dortmund and obviously the result didn’t go our way.
“They come back and they have to get up for a noon kick-off at Ross County, three or four hours away. People come in from all over the country, come in from Ireland, they get late flights, early mornings, you name it.
“So for us to have that support is so important to us, so it was nice to reward them with a win. We know Celtic supporters will go anywhere at any time, but it’s about offering that bit of respect to them when we can when it’s something we can control like the kick-off times. So I think the club has made a very good decision.”
Although it’s a step in the right direction, Celtic still only have three fixtures scheduled for the traditional 3pm Saturday slot leading up to the New Year.
Ross County on the 30th of November, Hibs at Celtic Park on the 7th of December and Dundee away on the 14th of December are still marked in for a Saturday afternoon start. All the rest are not.
The broadcast deal does bring in some much-needed funding to the game but it seems like the TV companies have far too much influence over the fixture schedule.
And now, hopefully after Celtic’s stance, that could be a about to change.
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