Ibrox View: Controversial solution from ex-SFA exec will surely incense Rangers chiefs
RANGERS OPINION
Rangers find themselves in the midst of one of the strangest and most dramatic periods that Scottish football has arguably ever faced.
The Coronavirus pandemic has brought play grinding to a halt across the globe, and has created a state of widespread confusion north of the border.
On Friday, the SPFL sought to resolve the chaos by holding a vote on whether or not the current campaign should be brought to a halt as it stands in the lower leagues, with a similar plan for the top flight outlined for the future.
Instead, as we’re sure you’ll be aware of by now, no solution was found, with Dundee failing to cast their deciding vote, and the SPFL choosing to release the rest of the results regardless.
Naturally, Rangers – who were against the measures – have taken exception to the disastrous handling of the situation, and are now calling for an inquiry into the debacle.
But former SFA chief Gordon Smith thinks that he may have an answer that could appease all parties in an increasingly ugly and divisive situation.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: “I don’t think the season should be concluded yet, we should still wait and see if we have enough time to fit the games in.
“I would divide the leagues up into three divisions of 14 with teams promoted that are currently in a position to be promoted but no team is relegated.
“It would only be for one season and plans could be put in place now for when football gets up and running again – it’s the best way forward and means the distribution of money can happen too.”
But while you can understand the logic behind Smith’s decree, a report from Football Insider suggests that the prospect of 14 team league is vehemently opposed by chiefs at Ibrox.
It is understood that they believe it represents just another way of handing Celtic a ninth consecutive title on the sly.
Obviously, nobody will ever admit to that being the case, but you can understand why there are suspicions – especially after the shambolic weekend we have just witnessed.
Ultimately, however, we have to face facts.
Yes, it would be preferable for everybody involved to finish the season as initially planned.
If we could play the games it would solve all of this bickering immediately.
But the truth is that is looking like an increasingly unlikely scenario.
And if we do have to finish this season early, the chances of it being nullified are probably very slim too.
That leaves us with the possibility of it being ended as things are, and while that would be a sickening blow for us to sustain at Ibrox, imagine how badly it would be felt for any side currently in the relegation zone.
It’s a mess, and one that has only been exacerbated by incompetent authorities, but looking at the selflessly for a moment, perhaps a 14 team division could be a viable solution.
In other Rangers news, ‘Massive’ – Ibrox Exclusive: Bruce reacts to fresh Gers ‘kick in the teeth’ after UEFA report.