SPL unimpressed with fixture claims

Last updated : 19 April 2010 By Team Talk

Rangers manager Walter Smith hit out at the way the fixtures have fallen over the years after his club were handed a third away game at Dundee United this season.

Smith cited examples from throughout the SPL's history, pointing out that Celtic had never been asked to play away at a top-six rival for a third time.

But the SPL reiterated that their fixtures were worked out on the basis of a pre-determined list of priorities and on the advice of a working group drawn from several clubs.

An SPL spokesman said: "According to reports in the press, Rangers FC will write to the SPL regarding the post-split fixtures.

"Any SPL club is welcome to seek an explanation from the SPL about its fixture schedule.

"This has happened in the past and may again in the future. We will respond to Rangers' letter once received.

"Included in some reports is a suggestion that the fixtures have been prepared to disadvantage Rangers FC and other clubs.

"This is both objectionable and entirely ludicrous.

"As we have already pointed out, the post-split fixtures are prepared on the basis of priorities.

"These priorities are designed to ensure the best possible balance of fixtures across all 12 clubs and are pre-determined by the SPL board, advised by the SPL fixture working group."

Rangers became the third club to publicly criticise the SPL's latest fixtures when chief executive Martin Bain expressed anger at their three consecutive away games.

Bain also pointed out that Rangers would travel to Tannadice for a third time while Celtic were spared a second trip to Fir Park.

St Mirren chairman Stewart Gilmour had branded a "disgrace" the fact his side will face relegation rivals Falkirk for a third time away.

And Motherwell have called for financial compensation after losing out on a visit of Celtic and being given only 18 home games throughout the 38-match season.

Smith delved further into the history of the SPL to determine that Rangers had been asked to play a top-six rival away from home for a third time on seven occasions, something Celtic have never been asked to do.

"There's a hell of an imbalance when you see it," the Rangers manager said.

"The fact that we have to go to Tannadice three times and we are having to do that nearly every time.

"You've got to ask why Celtic have never had to do that at all and we've had to do it. Especially last year when they were kicking up a fuss about being treated unfairly when it's patently obvious that it's Rangers who are being treated unfairly and not Celtic.

"But when I look at every season since this split started, anyone can see quite clearly Celtic have come out of it far better."

The SPL fixtures are the responsibility of secretary Iain Blair, whose parameters are set by the SPL board with input from the fixtures working group, which involves representatives from Celtic, Kilmarnock, Hearts, Hibernian, Motherwell and Rangers.

Blair, after releasing the latest fixtures, explained that any imbalance in fixtures was the result of a need to ensure teams play 19 home games.

"The clubs have indicated that the highest priority is to try and ensure 19 home and 19 away matches for each club," he said.

"Unfortunately, to ensure this, some clubs will need to gain one home game and some will need to lose one to ensure balance.

"We try and minimise the disruption. So we look to switch the fewest number of matches to achieve a 19 home/19 away balance for each club.

"In working on this we also try to ensure that there is no reversal of any of the derby matches."

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk