Fir Park boss backs delay

MOTHERWELL manager Stephen Robinson feels UEFA should consider delaying the start of next season’s Europa League until October. The Fir Park club’s third-place finish in the Premiership was confirmed on Monday when the SPFL board called the top-flight season on a points-per-game basis. While that achievement underscored Robinson’s

excellent managerial work, how and when Motherwell will gain the reward of European football is far less clear amid the coronavirus crisis. UEFA are still working on a plan to finish this season’s Champions League and Europa League and have yet to set out any timescales for the following term. An executive committee meeting planned for next week has been postponed until June 17. ‘It’s difficult because you can’t prepare for it,’ said Robinson of the uncertainty. ‘This is only my own personal opinion but I think the league will get back up and running first of all and then European football will come a bit further down the line, maybe October-time when restrictions start to get lifted and borders get opened a bit more. ‘Different countries are resuming playing at different times. Rangers are still in the Europa League (this season) and you think how are they going to finish that and train and prepare for it? ‘In terms of next season, I think maybe later in the year moving it back a bit, which they have done with the European Championship qualifiers, would be fair for everyone. ‘You obviously want to see Scottish teams progress, us being one of them. It gives you a better chance after being out for three or four months. ‘Even coming back in the middle of July under normal circumstances is difficult for Scottish teams. Kilmarnock found that last year. It’s difficult to get going again. ‘I think to make it a little bit later would be good for everyone. We will go anywhere, if we are able to, and enjoy it.’ Robinson hopes the decision to curtail the current domestic season will be followed by indications on when Scottish football might be able to return. ‘I have been calling all along for clarity,’ he added. ‘Everyone wanted to try and finish the season but we couldn’t do that, so we have clarity there. Now we can get round to how and when we start the season and everyone preparing their budgets to get through this in one piece.’