Rangers have today had the audacity to slam the SPL's proposals to extend the league season, stating that they are "bitterly disappointed" that the SPL is not doing more to "assist" them to win the UEFA Cup. One wonders though why the original statement released just after the news broke yesterday lunchtime was removed from the Rangers site and replaced with the audacious one that now replaces it?
The first statement, on their official website, was a cautiously grateful statement to the effect that although they would still experience serious fixture congestion, the SPL decision "has given Rangers some leeway" - but those words were removed by mid-afternoon. A subsequent statement by Martin Bain, Rangers' chief executive, attacked the SPL and said: "We as a club are really bitterly disappointed in the SPL on all fronts. It is hardly the best preparation in the lead-up to the Uefa Cup Final - if we get there - to play Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday in advance of that. So I don't see what the SPL have done for Rangers in aiding them in European competition. They have simply accommodated a fixture.It's a fixture.It's entire very well for the SPL to go on about how it's great for Scottish football, but they are doing nothing to assist us.
''As for the situation of not being in the Uefa Cup Final, we have been asked to play four games in eight days. The SPL cite the preservation of sporting integrity, yet Rangers are the only club being asked to play four games in eight days, so there is no sporting integrity.
"What we find baffling is that the SPL can extend the season if we reach the final but they can't do it from a sporting integrity point of view if we don't. Why is the season simply not extended to May 27 regardless?"
So why this turn-around from gracious acceptance to anger and disappointment? Could it be that it looks better for the Club to distance itself from a move that hands them an advantage in the run-in rather than to accept the gift graciously. Hmm?
Peter Lawwell has responded in kind, repeating the clubs stance that any such move would seriously affect the "integrity" of the competition, saying "We do not want to disadvantage Rangers, but we are extremely disappointed and concerned at the manner of the decision-making process - which was done without consultation with the clubs or the SPL board - and the effects on the integrity of the competition.
"In addition, this decision, which will cause a great deal of inconvenience to our supporters and to five other clubs. It will also mean that Celtic would have a gap of 11 days before playing our final league fixture. A number of our key first-team players are also due to go on international duty immediately after our scheduled final league game, against Dundee United, on May 18.
"In principle we accept fixture flexibility. However, the league must not be compromised by changing the rules during the course of the competition. Therefore, we oppose the decision and feel, in fact, that it has compromised the integrity of the competition."
So this is a decision that was made without consultation of the members Clubs was it? How can a quorate organisation like the SPL make a decision without consulting its members? Surely that goes against the constitution of the organisation?
There has been much made over this entire issue regarding the accommodation of SPL clubs in Europe, with many asking why Celtic were not awarded such grace when they were on the road to Seville. The simple answer by those of a Blue persuasion is to point out that Celtic never asked for any special dispensation or consideration in 2003, I beg to differ.
This press release appeared on the Celtic website on the 17th April 2003
"Celtic is satisfied that each of the key parties has now been presented with all of the information necessary to ensure that a properly informed decision can be made.
"The club has always accepted that, because of the unfortunate incidents surrounding the Celtic v Rangers fixture on May 2 1999, public safety considerations must take precedence over sporting fairness in this case.
"It is the decision of Strathclyde Police that, from a public safety perspective, Sunday April 27 is the more appropriate of the two dates offered by the SPL, the other being Saturday, May 3.
"Celtic respects the authority of Strathclyde Police and accepts their decision on this matter. On this basis, the club has now withdrawn its request for a re-vote amongst the SPL Board members on the question of the date for the match.
"Clearly, this outcome will disappoint Celtic supporters because the sporting inequality resulting from playing the match on April 27 remains. Nevertheless, the club strongly urges all of its supporters to respect the decision that has been taken to play the match on April 27 and, regardless of the final score, to refrain from any behaviour that would bring the good name of Celtic Football Club and its supporters into disrepute."
Clydebuilt