SO ANN BUDGE reckons that Celtic can’t be Champions in the Scottish Premiership unless all the games are concluded, but sees nothing worth complaining about when other sides – such as Dundee United in the Championship or Kelty Hearts in the Southern League are already celebrating their title win after their respective leagues were called early. Oh and both those sides could have been caught, especially Barry Ferguson’s.
The Hearts Chair, who is currently working on a restructuring plan with Les Gray the Hamilton Chair, arranged by Dundee who voted YES (therefore it doesn’t really matter what Budge says – although she is clearly alienating Celtic along the way), says Celtic can’t be Champions unless all 38 games are played because she’s spent a good few bob trying to beat the drop!
What a strange argument, she verging on having a dose of Ibroxitis with that one. The state of that Govan mob – clearly the most bitter and embarrassing runners up across the 55 leagues that UEFA administer. When the dust settles we’ll do an article on all the league positions, the reaction from the runners-up and the points gap that they ended up having to accept. Many if not most will be less that the 13 point gap between Provisional Champions Celtic and the Rangers but few will have been so hysterical in their anger at losing a league campaign that they’d already lost before coronavirus.
No idea why they’re so annoyed anyway, having clearly mastered European football they will be back in action on the continent next season confident that they’ll take the Europa League by storm. Assuming of course there are no complications on the licensing front along the corridor from the SPFL offices at Hampden where the Scottish FA will be considering all applications and looking over the financial positions of all the clubs ahead of next season. Their licence will surely be a formality.
While we’ve always argued that no side – not even Hearts – should be relegated due to this pandemic if it transpires that Hearts go down then no sleep will be lost in Celtic homes if they do go down.
Here’s what Ann Budge has been saying, as reported by Scottish Sun. “It’s clearly an impossible situation. But clearly some of the rules were changed.
“You shouldn’t be awarded the title if you haven’t played 38 games — and you shouldn’t be relegated if you haven’t played 38 games.
“Not many people had a problem with promotion, but almost everyone had a problem with relegating clubs in the middle of what is an awful global experience.
“Let’s find the fairest way possible to address the situation. That means people shouldn’t be penalised. Nobody gains from relegation. Clubs just lose, on top of everything else they are suffering.
“If you are going to make promotions when the league isn’t finished, then I think we should also be recognising that some of us have made substantial investments to try to avoid relegation.”
Why the need to mention the title in the 38 game Scottish Premiership? It weakens here case and her support but sometimes they just can’t help themselves. Hearts being Hearts. The Minis boss went on to express her doubts about whether restructuring will come together – does she think she needs to woe the Rangers to vote for it perhaps?
“I’m afraid, I have doubts. But if we can give everybody a say, and avoid some of the mistakes made previously, then we have a fighting chance to get a reasoned and sensible vote.
“I would like to see that happening as quickly as possible to get to the point where we can say this is what we think can work for the coming season.”
The current situation in the Scottish Premiership is that no decision has been taken on calling the league early, if the games can be played they will – if not the Board at the SPFL can call it, Celtic will be deserving Champions – but denied the glory days of winning the league and trophy day in May – and Hearts will be relegated. And if any side has to be relegated then that has to be Hearts.
Ann Budge also supports the Rangers call for an independent review. Here’s her talking to the BBC..
Risking votes by digging at Celtic ain’t that clever you know Mrs Budge.
INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr
Meanwhile The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.
If you have been reading Matt’s contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme and the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.
INVINCIBLE – The outstanding debut @celticfc book from @Boola_vogue is out early May. You can pre-order now at https://t.co/qOzrkwD10L @CelticFCSLO @StephenODauthor @cfcliamk96
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) April 16, 2020
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