We’re keeping the split, says SPFL supremo
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster last night declared the top flight’s controversial split is here to stay. The publication of the post-split fixtures inevitably leads to annual rows, even though the system was voted in by member clubs and has been in operation for 18 years. Hearts and Kilmarnock are unhappy at having to face Rangers at Ibrox
for a third time this season, with the Gorgie club also being handed 20 away fixtures and 18 at home. And Brendan Rodgers’ plea for a Celtic-Rangers title showdown fell on deaf ears as his side were sent to face Hibs in the first of their last five matches of the league season. However, Doncaster says the split ensures tight title races, fraught relegation battles and a suitable length of season for a 12-team league. And the SPFL chief insists there is no talk of the format being under threat in any new broadcasting deal to be agreed with Sky and BT Sport. Doncaster said: ‘Will the split go? No! It creates tight finishes at the top and bottom and sometimes that means helicopter finishes (the league trophy being delivered to the winners by air) on the last day. ‘Ultimately, the hallmarks of our game are passion, drama and excitement and the split creates that. It is here for the time being and we need to make the best of it. ‘But it is important to recognise why we have it. As much as it creates tight finishes, we have the split to accommodate an appropriate number of games within a 12-team league. ‘If you played twice home and twice away, you would end up with 44 fixtures. If it was once home and once away, it is 22 fixtures, which isn’t enough. If you play twice home and once away, you have 33 fixtures but then you have some awful imbalances. The split and the way it works minimises the imbalances.’ Should Celtic fail to beat Hibs on April 21, Rodgers’ side could then face a home title decider against Rangers on Sunday, April 29. But Doncaster is relaxed about the prospect, despite the chaotic scenes that marred Rangers’ capture of the 1999 SPL title at Celtic Park. He added: ‘Do I have concerns if Celtic could win the league against Rangers? Those are questions that are best directed towards Police Scotland because they appear to be happy with what we have ended up with. ‘Any decision is based on relationships and all parties having needs and wants — and us trying to reconcile as best we can. ‘We have got a very good working relationship with broadcasters and Police Scotland. ‘It is that relationship and the understanding that exists, along with the hard work, on all sides, which has enabled us to come to an acceptable post-split fixture list this season.’