Our View: Celtic must stand firm as shutdown goes on until end of April

By John Reid

March 20, 2020

The Scottish FA meetings with the member clubs on Thursday didn’t seem to resolve much about the future of Scottish football, but it did confirm that football won’t be coming back to Scotland any time soon.

The joint response group posted on the SFA website that football in Scotland won’t be played before the 30th of April. That is more than a month away.

No doubt that is a blow to the clubs and fans, but it is no surprise that the authorities have made that decision. What Celtic have to do now is stand firm, and keep aiming for the goals outlined in Peter Lawwell’s message to the Hoops support that was posted on the Celtic website on Thursday.

Hoops chief made feelings clear

The Hoops chief called for the league to get played to completion, and firmly rejected the notion of declaring the league null and void.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic must keep calling for that, even though there will be no football played for at least another five weeks.

There might be those in Scottish football who want to move on from this season, to declare it void, and prepare for next season, whenever that may be.

However, that cannot be allowed to happen. Peter Lawwell was right to point out that the league has to be completed one way or another.

What should happen is clear if games can’t be played

Really, what should happen is that if the last eight games of the season cannot be played, then Celtic should be named champions, Hearts should be relegated and the plans can start for next season.

Celtic celebrate winning a league title / (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

You can bet that Lawwell and Celtic will continue to stand up for the club. They will be looking out for what is best for the Hoops in this uncertain future that football currently finds itself in.

That means making sure that either the present season is played to completion, or the Hoops are declared champions. These positions can’t waver, and they are unlikely to under Lawwell.

Are you confident football will return this summer? Will the Hoops’ aims be met? Share your thoughts below with a comment in our new discussion forum…