Celtic are thirteen points ahead of Rangers in the Premiership as the turmoil surrounding the league rumbles on. Statements have been released and confusion increases as the days go by. Fortunately, it is a welcome distraction from the Coronavirus pandemic that sweeps across the UK.
Whilst the conversation predominately includes Premiership teams, the focus has been taken off of the smaller teams, who may be most adversely affected by the virus and the repercussions of the Scottish game. League 1 side East Fife voted down the resolution as they believed it would be unfair to seal the fate of Hearts, Partick Thistle, Stranraer and Brechin City to relegation. They admitted that there would be a degree of financial benefit to them voting this through; however, their statement suggests strongly that a temporary league reconstruction to avoid relegation could be the best possible process.
One team that will be anxiously waiting to hear about the decision of the SPFL are Cove Rangers. The league leaders in SPFL League 2. Managed by Paul Hartley, the Toonsers have taken League 2 by storm since being promoted and were set for a year in League 1 next year only for their dream to be shrouded in uncertainty. The Granite City team are 13 points clear of nearest challengers Edinburgh City, who have played a game less. Cove have eight games remaining of the current campaign and whilst it was possible that the capital sided could mount a comeback, the third division trophy was almost certainly going to Balmoral Stadium.
There will be no fanfare for the success should it be voted through. They are deserved winners of the league but for those that attempt to declare the league ‘null and void’, they need to understand the effects this will have lower down the league. On teams that rely on gates receipts and sponsorship to make ends meet. This argument flows through the Scottish game, it is one that affects all clubs as we are driven by our supporters. As the UK heads for a recession, clubs are worrying about the future. Quite rightly so.
Cove spent a fair amount of money to get Rory McAllister signed onto Paul Hartley’s project and have put a fair amount of money to make them promotion favourites. They need to know what is happening to the league, along with all 42 members of the SPFL.
The parallels with Premiership leaders Celtic and League 1 leaders are simple, they are 13 points clear and were on track for a historic title. However, unprecedented and unforeseeable circumstances have derailed this. How then can anyone void all the money spent on each team in the league, say it didn’t happen – it did. The table remain intact.
Declaring the standings final is the only recourse but with reconstruction. This means clubs won’t be punished by financial hardship. A restructuring also gives fresh blood into the division – Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers for L2 and 14 teams for the Premiership.
The handling of this fiasco has been quite comical. The league’s decision to issue a ‘vote now talk later’ proposal was always destined to set supporters off across the footballing spectrum. However, no one could have foreseen a reaction quite like this. Strong leadership, decisive leadership and reconstruction could allow for Scottish football to find its feet after this blow and appeasing the vast majority of clubs seems to be the only way to do that.
It can be a watershed moment for the Scottish footballing authorities with the right leadership; however, without it, it could be more like Watergate.
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