Scottish football fans are up in arms after the SPFL revealed their post-split Premiership fixtures that will see a host of big games hit by a TV blackout.
The league will screen just five end-of-season games on the box as Sky were again accused of selling our game short. And Record Sport can reveal the broadcasters will have shown only 42 matches this campaign plus two playoff ties – despite being allowed a total of 48. The satellite giants won’t screen a relegation battle – with four clubs in the drop mix – an Edinburgh derby or the crucial race for Europe clash between Hearts and Aberdeen at Tynecastle.
Celtic supporters are also unlikely to see their heroes being crowned champions at home after the SPFL decided to send Ange Postecoglou’s side first to Tynecastle and then to Ibrox in the first two fixtures of the climax. Only 1400 Hoops supporters are allowed into Tynecastle and none at the home of their great rivals.
Meanwhile, because Hearts will have already used up their quota of five home games being allowed to be broadcast, their clash with Aberdeen won’t be on TV and neither will the capital showdown against Hibs. That threshold was almost crossed by the bizarre decision to screen their game with Ross County at the weekend – and it will have been passed by the choice to make Celtic come calling first on matchday one of the post-split games.
The Hoops boss labelled it far from ideal and added: “It’s always a bit of a challenge I guess for those doing it. I would liked to have had at least one home game in those first two because it means that again our supporters won’t see us for three weeks.
“So it would have been nice but ultimately it is what it is. It is always a challenge at Tynecastle and it would be a good place to win it. Because we’re going to have to earn it to do it.”
Hearts hero and Record Sport columnist Ryan Stevenson blasted the fixture list and said: “It’s a joke, but nobody’s laughing.
“Scottish football is brilliant. Yet it is showcased terribly. Why couldn’t week one of the split have featured Celtic going to Ibrox with the chance to win the league, while along the M8, Hearts and the Dons could have been playing each other in front of another packed house with third place and a £5m European prize pot up for grabs?
“It could have been labelled Super Saturday, one game on after the other, both on Sky, and Scottish football would have been shown to be passionate, colourful, vibrant - everything the SPFL should be proud to show off to potential sponsors around the world. It’s an absolute disgrace.”
Chris Sutton wasn’t happy either and he said: “I’m still sure they would still enjoy the lap of honour around Ibrox, even with no fans there. It is what it is but it does seem like they don’t want Celtic fans celebrating winning a title.
“They’ll do that anyway, whether they are at home or in the pubs in Glasgow. It’s a bit of a shame. St Mirren is the third game after the split so they could celebrate with their own fans then, that would be my focus as a player.
“From a fans’ perspective, there would be an element of disappointment that they won’t get the opportunity to play against an Aberdeen or St Mirren at home after the split. If Celtic wrap up the league at Tynecastle, will there be a guard of honour at Ibrox?
“I’d like to think so. You do the right thing…”
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