The SPL Are At It Again…
So we have another stupid suggestion by another Scottish team, and again we have the same stupid outcome.
This time Rangers asked if they could postpone their game with SPL minnows Gretna so that they could fully concentrate on the Champions League game with Lyon in midweek. Surely this shouldn’t be allowed!
This is clearly an unfair advantage in Rangers’ favour, one feels. Especially when you couple it with the fact that Lyon have also this week asked if they would be allowed to postpone their game with Caen so that they could focus on their clash at Ibrox, but no, big round of applause to the French FA who have got the call right and have told them to bugger off. You would think that as Lyon are French Champions they would have a better chance of a fixture reprieve but no, the FA stood strong and fair play to them.
The quote by Davie Irons (Gretna Manager) was laughable too after he gave his reasons for co-operating with Rangers and the SPL: ‘The implications for Scottish football could be tremendous‘. I’m failing to see these other than the glaringly obvious one; this could allow the total monopoly of Glasgow over the SPL to a complete and total shut-out. Granted, Scottish football has improved over the past 3 seasons, culminating in the near-miss at Euro 2008, but the gulf between Celtic, Rangers and the rest is as such that a gap is extremely unlikely to be made up throughout the course of the season, and that shows no signs of changing because Hibs, Dundee United and Motherwell - currently joint 3rd in the SPL – aren’t able to attract the type of footballer who is the equal to Shunsuke Nakamura or Barry Ferguson, in my opinion the two finest players in Glasgow and the SPL.
Now the match on Tuesday at the Stade VĂ©lodrome holds greater significance in my opinion, where the most successful club from these shores, Liverpool, fight to stay alive in Europe’s elite against Olympique Marseille. This is more important because
- I’m a Red
- Liverpool is much bigger than both Glasgow clubs put together, and most importantly:
- Without Liverpool, who have been finalists in 2 of the last 3 seasons, the competition will seem somewhat belittled, will it not?
That’s my opinion anyway. But the point being made, would Steve Coppell be happy to let Rafa’s lads take the week off before crossing the channel? I very much doubt it. Also there is a monumental clash next week at Anfield with Manchester United visiting, so why doesn’t Rafa write to UEFA and ask for a reprieve?
But the main point being here is the fact that the SPL are complete idiots who seem all out to belittle football in Europe. First the weekend’s rest before Scotland-Italy and now Rangers. Also why weren’t Celtic granted the same privilege? Its total insanity the decision this week and I am still wondering why Platini and Gaillard are keeping quiet about it! The gruesome-twosome are never usually shy of a word or two and now when there is genuine attempts on belittling European football they shut up!
What do you think then? SPL right or wrong?
Topics: Rangers, Scottish Premier League, UEFA Champions League



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Competition won’t be belittled. Liverpool wouldn’t be missed and I am expecting a Marseille victory in France.
December 8th, 2007 @ 09:31Celtic didn’t get a reprieve because they didn’t ask for one. Very simple. It’s like a player having their suspension cut. If you don’t appeal, it won’t happen.
(That doesn’t mean I’m in favour of the decision, ‘cos I’m not).
December 8th, 2007 @ 14:00I’m sorry but you have no case for complaining!!
Its not just the SPL that takes care of their teams that play in europe.
Spanish teams that are in europe can have their games moved as well to a friday or sometimes even moved to another week if possible.
I think its good that the SPL tries to help their teams in europe.
oh yeah as Hugo says do you even know if liverpool tried to get their game moved?
December 8th, 2007 @ 14:13I remember last season at one point Chelsea had their game against Tottenham moved to Saturday from Sunday because they were playing in europe the following wednesday.
What scum the Scottish FA are! And UEFA are just as bad letting it slide. They always let the British teams off.
O Lyon asked after they heard that Rangers got their match postponed.
Shah, there is nothing wrong with moving a game from one day of that weekend to another. For example, Inter had their match against Reggina a good few weeks ago on the Saturday instead of the Sunday cause they were playing CSKA Moscow on the Tuesday. This article is complaining about Rangers POSTPONING their match.
December 8th, 2007 @ 16:47Liverpool Should’nt Even Be In The Competition,It Is Called The Champions League & As For Liverpool Being A Bigger Club Than The 2 Glasgow Teams Put Together I Have Never Heard So Much Bullshit In My Life.
Both Teams Have Massive Support In The US & Australia,I Doubt You Could Go To Any City In America & Walk Into A Liverpool Supporters Club.
Your Knowledge Of The Scottish Game Is Obviously To A Minimum
December 9th, 2007 @ 04:52Well by your rule Brian why are Rangers in the Champions League?
And I guarantee you can walk into any bar in the world and find 10 more Liverpool fans than supporters of the Glasgow Clubs. Also how about the huge support across Europe for Liverpool, across the Middle East, across Asia, across South America?
And I also guarantee you that if you use success as the measure of the size of a club as I do, Liverpool is far bigger than the 2 SPL giants. Is Newcastle a big club? NO! No trophy in 50 years and its a big club? Do me a favour
December 9th, 2007 @ 13:35And I guarantee you can walk into any bar in the world?????
Get the chip of your shoulder shaun (no suprise there then!!!)
December 11th, 2007 @ 14:37