New shock over derby
Heat grows on football chiefs
Hogmanay Old Firm date picked by US computer
The controversial Hogmanay Old Firm date was chosen by a US firm’s computer, the Sunday Mail can reveal.
The SPFL ditched the fixture planners who had organised their diary for 10 years.
The new company were hired to provide the league’s fixture list after bosses ended their agreement with Canadian-based Opitmal Planning Solutions.
Police Scotland had the chance to veto the decision but decided to give it the go-ahead.
The decision has been met with widespread disbelief from fans, politicians and the licensed trade.
But an SPFL source last week insisted there would be no U- turn despite criticism of the decision.
A source said: “To find out where this date has come from, you can go back to June when the list of teams are being fed into what is a complicated computer system that comes up with the fixtures for the whole season.
“The aim is always to try to play games on a Saturday – and the quirk is that Hogmanay fal ls on a Saturday this year. Therefore, the derby-day fixtures – which would usually fall on the Janury 1 or 2 – this year fall on Hogmanay Saturday.
“Hogmanay being a Saturday is what has driven this and the police have given it the OK.”
The SPFL hired an Americanfirm after ditching Optimal Planning Solutions – who also organise the French League and Australian A-League – last year.
An OPS spokesman said: “We had been doing fixture work for the SPFL for about 10 seasons but last season they chose to go a different way.”
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association last week branded the date for the match as “senseless”.
Scottish Police Federation general secretary Calum Steele described the date for the game as “insanity on a stick”. But it has been given the green light after a three-way agreement between league chiefs, broadcasters Sky and police.
The SPFL last week declined to comment further.
A source added: “The date is not going to change. People might be kicking up a fuss but it’s not going to move.
“The police have approved and agreed it and that’s the date.”
Police Scotland assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins said: “When these fixtures were first published in the summer, we had a number of discussions with the football authorities. Upon reflection, it was agreed this was the most suitable time and day to deliver a safe event and minimise the impact on the wider community for a number of reasons.
“Firstly, the early kick off limits the potential for overconsumption of alcohol, which can help reduce anti- social behaviour or violence.
“Also, the transport infrastructure will be operating normally whereas a reduced service would be in place on January 1.
“As people have commitments around family celebrations and gatherings, they are more likely to enjoy the football match and return home promptly.
“To emphasise, this is about public safety and between now and December 31, we will plan carefully with the clubs and the authorities.”
The date is not going to change. People might kick up a fuss but it won’t move