CLUBS SET TO REJECT PLAN
CELTIC
FROM BACK PAGE this country back into lockdown.
If passed, the resolution would empower Doncaster and the rest of the board to decide if and when the new campaign would have to be brought to an end – and avoid the voting farce which triggered the ongoing civil war which has ripped through the game ever since the notorious Good Friday disagreement.
But Record Sport understands the numbers are stacking up against the proposal – with a number of top-flight clubs already voicing strong opposition during a recent meeting of all 12 Premiership clubs.
The league’s top brass are desperate not to expose the entire game to another toxic row if disaster does strike and the virus surges out of control at some point during the season.
But with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell set to replace Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson on Doncaster’s revamped board later this month – as his club attempts to secure a historic 10th successive league crown – there are obvious concerns over perception.
All of Scotland’s 42 senior clubs have been set a deadline of midnight on Monday July 20 to respond to the resolution with 75 per cent support required in all four leagues.
But one top-flight chief executive told us last night: “It’s pretty clear from the discussions we’ve had between Premiership clubs that this plan is not going to have enough support to be passed.
“While no one wants to go through all of this pain again – and clubs realise it would be easier to hand over the power to the board – it seems like the right idea but at entirely the wrong tine. In some quarters there’s an obvious distrust of the SPFL board because of everything that has gone on over these last few months.
“While many clubs would rather not have to contemplate another vote to end the season, they are clearly struggling with the idea of empowering the SPFL board to take that decision for them.
“When you add into the mix the fact that Celtic are going for 10 in a row and Peter Lawwell will most probably be voted on to a new-look SPFL board, the potential problems are obvious.
“If we are forced by the pandemic back into another worst case scenario in the new campaign, it could make last season’s crisis look like a walk in the park!”
But sources on Hampden’s sixth floor insisted last night they have not given up hope of getting the numbers required ahead of this month’s AGM.
One said: “We are aware that a number of clubs have voiced concerns and that’s probably understandable given the levels of tension over the last three months.
“But most clubs do seem to see the sense in taking action now to prevent it all playing out again the same way next season.
“It’s up to the clubs to decide what they want and right now we still think it’ll be touch and go when it goes to the vote.”
Celtic are currently camped in Leicestershire as they ramp up preparations for the new season, which is scheduled to kick off in just over three weeks with a home clash against Hamilton. Lennon is desperately trying to arrange bounce games for his side to ensure they’re match fit for the big kick-off.
With the Hoops season ticket waiting list numbers hitting an extraordinary 17,000, the Northern Irishman knows the weight of expectation on his players’ shoulders.
He insists that backing will fire his troops up, even if those diehards have to start the season watching matches in their living rooms.
Speaking to Celtic TV from their Loughborough base, Lennon said: “It’s important to get the boys away.
“We’ve had a hard few weeks back at Lennoxtown so this breaks up the pre-season.
“The players are enjoying it, the facilities are brilliant, the pitches are in mint condition and training has gone very well so far. We are trying to ramp it up now. We will be coming into the games pretty soon.
“We have not played a competitive game for four months now so it’s important we try to get some match rhythm and a competitive edge into the training to take that into the games.
“The other side of it is getting used to playing behind closed doors. The players have to adapt