Rangers and Celtic decision made by Police Scotland ahead of SPFL announcement
Police Scotland have instructed league bosses to avoid a “powderkeg” scenario with the possibility of a post spilt fixture between Rangers and Celtic on the weekend of 6 May, according to Keith Jackson.
After losing 2-0 to Aberdeen on Sunday (23 April) and subsequently falling 13 points behind the Hoops, Rangers could face the possibility of their fierce rivals being crowned league leaders at Ibrox in the upcoming clash.
However, writing in his weekly column for the Daily Record, Jackson shared that an announcement is set to be made on Monday (24 April) by the SPFL about the post-split fixtures with the Old Firm recommended to be held back until 20 May or 21 May at the earliest.
He wrote: “The SPFL is set to announce the post split fixture list on Monday with the champions needing just one more win to secure a second successive title under Ange Postecoglou – after Rangers went down to defeat at Pittodrie on Sunday afternoon to leave them 13 points off the pace.
“A derby day victory at Ibrox in the first round of fixtures on May 6 and 7 would officially crown Postecoglou’s side – and Police Scotland have instructed league bosses to avoid such a powderkeg scenario even despite an ongoing ban on away fans at Old Firm matches.
“That means the final meeting of the Glasgow big guns could be put on hold until, at the earliest, the third round of fixtures on the weekend of May 20 and 21.”
Best move
Allowing Celtic the opportunity to win the league at Ibrox would certainly be a powderkeg situation and one which could quickly spiral out of control.
Although the league have already banned away fans from Old Firm derby days this season, the prospect of Celtic lifting the trophy within the gates of Ibrox remains a horrible prospect.
Ange Postecoglou’s have frustratingly deserved to win the Scottish Premiership this season after Rangers’ slow start to the season under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but it still remains a tough prospect to get to grips with.
Police are correct in deciding that Celtic can lift the trophy elsewhere, with Ibrox likely to be a toxic atmosphere if the game were to go ahead.
The league loss will be a painful feeling for Michael Beale and his players to get to grips with, but it will hopefully spur them onto greater things in the Englishman’s first full season on the job.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton reacted immediately online to the 2-0 loss to Aberdeen.