Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish has stated that the season must end with all fixtures having been played, as he once again dismissed calls for a null and void verdict.
Rangers released a statement last week stating that they wouldn’t be playing games behind closed doors. However, they also said in the same statement that league titles cannot be awarded unless all games have been played.
Dalglish touched on the situation last weekend and stated that the prospect of having a null and void season must “definitely not” happen (Sunday Post).
However, he’s also disagreed with Rangers that closed-door games are an absolute no-go either. Speaking in his Sunday Post column, the ex Celtic forward said the following:
“As I wrote last week the last thing we need is for the season to be declared null and void, on both sides of the border. That just wouldn’t be right and reaction I received from that column suggested most agreed with me.
“This is a time for patience and consideration. We will get there at some stage and, as long as people are trying to do the right thing for the game and not looking to points score, then it will be absolutely fine.
“Perhaps we will be up and running again in May. But it could well be that the rest of the games will need to be played behind closed doors. That would be extremely unfortunate for every football fan, but it might be the best possible option to get this season finished and all league paces determined.”
Cost of closed-door games remain in question
Outside of Celtic, you just wonder how many clubs in Scotland could afford to go down the route of having no fans at their games.
It sounds fine from a Celtic perspective because we have the advantage of having extra cash flow from Europe, sponsorship deals and player sales. However, the rest of the Premiership doesn’t have the luxury of the mega-money deals Celtic have had over the last few years.
So cost could be a real problem, and there are no signs that the SFA/SPFL will be jumping in anytime soon with a pot of money. But the base of Dalglish’s point is 100% spot on.
Regardless of how it’s done, the season must end. We’re far too long into the campaign for it to be declared null and avoid. Equally, just assuming certain clubs would end in certain places is also a dangerous game. Celtic may be 13 points clear and cruising to the title, but Motherwell are only a point clear of Aberdeen in third. Do they automatically get third place despite their being eight games remaining?
The frustrating thing is that UEFA have given all leagues until June 30th to end their campaigns (Daily Record). If leagues can’t finish until after then, it would likely cause some disruption to the next campaign. But is that a bad thing?
You have to question why next year is being prioritised over a campaign that’s nearly completed. Dates should be pushed back for as long as necessary. Making sure this season’s hard work is ultimately rewarded is all that should matter. Dalglish is right on the money once again.
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