WHOLE NEW POLL GAME
How the 42 clubs of the four SPFL divisions look set to vote with the season’s outcome hanging in the balance
PREMIERSHIP
CELTIC - YES Chief executive Peter Lawwell recently said: “Our strong preference is to complete all remaining matches. If they cannot, the responsibility to find a fair and reasonable solution will be with the governing bodies.” HAMILTON - YES Chairman Allan Maitland said: “If they ask us to finish the season we’ll finish the season, if they tell us we’re in a play-off we’ll play a play-off, if they tell us we’re staying up then we’ll do that.” KILMARNOCK - YES Players and staff have been furloughed and while a decision has yet to be made, the feeling in the boardroom is they will vote yes. LIVINGSTON - YES A spokesman said: “This has been an extremely tough decision as we would have loved the opportunity to push for a European spot.” MOTHERWELL - YES Chairman Jim McMahon said: “The position we are in is unprecedented. There is no road which shows the way out.” ST MIRREN - YES Although no official statement was forthcoming, it’s understood St Mirren are willing to go along with the SPFL proposals. ST JOHNSTONE - YES There’s no official indication from McDiarmid Park about how the club will vote but Record Sport understands that the Perth club will accept the SPFL proposal. RANGERS - NO A club statement said: “Rangers believe the season is only complete when all 38 games have been played. Any attempts to railroad changes to existing rules will be opposed in the strongest possible terms.” HEARTS - NO Ann Budge said: “Heart of Midlothian will not be voting in favour of the proposal as it stands.” HIBS - UNDECLARED Hibs haven’t publicly said they’ll reject but chief executive Leeann Dempster said: “Battering towards a decision is wrong and there has not been enough opportunity for us to speak about it as clubs, together.” ABERDEEN - UNDECLARED Manager Derek McInnes would like to have the chance of finishing third although Record Sport understands that the Pittodrie club are on the brink of voting no. ROSS COUNTY - UNDECLARED The Dingwall club have steadfastly refused to comment ahead of today’s vote.
CHAMPIONSHIP
ALLOA - YES SFA vice-chairman Mike Mulraney has been heavily involved in drawing up the plans. Wasps are third bottom and he said: “We’ve got lots of difficult decisions and we’ll make the difficult decisions.” ARBROATH - YES Keeping their cards close to their chest but are understood to be ready to agree with the SPFL proposal. AYR UNITED - YES Chairman Lachlan Cameron said: “The only fair resolution is to declare the season null and void. After reading the papers on it from the SPFL, I agree it is not possible to do that. I will be proposing that we back the SPFL proposal.” DUNFERMLINE - YES No one from East End Park was available for comment but Record Sport understands the Pars board will back the SPFL proposal. DUNDEE UTD - YES No official comment but Record Sport understands the runaway leaders are firmly in favour of the proposals. MORTON - YES Morton will not be speaking publicly but we believe club will vote yes. QOS - YES Chairman Billy Hewitson said: “We have reached the stage where the majority of clubs will want the season finished so they can get the balance of the money they are owed.” PARTICK THISTLE - NO A club statement said: “Partick Thistle will simply not accept this proposal as it stands.” DUNDEE - NO Club chiefs are concerned with wording of the proposal and don’t believe it’s in the best interests of game. INVERNESS CT - UNDECLARED Could hold key to the vote but were last night remaining tightlipped.
There’s not been enough opportunity for us to speak about it as clubs
LEEANN DEMPSTER, HIBS CHIEF EXECUTIVE
LEAGUE 1
FORFAR - YES Club secretary David McGregor said: “We are 90 per cent down the road to agreement. We need a few points clarified and if they are acceptable to us then it will be a yes.”
RAITH - YES Chairman Bill Clark said: “We’re top of the league and put a whole lot of effort into this season. The SPFL have produced the figures for points won and we’ve been top of the league for 21 out of 28 weeks. If we’re going to be denied being named as champions of League One I’d be extremely disappointed.”
PETERHEAD - YES Manager Jim McInally said: “My gut feeling is that the proposal will get through as everyone is looking for clarity and direction now. This is the only proposal that provides that.”
CLYDE - YES Club secretary Gordon Thomson said: “We recognise that there is a lot of uncertainty at the moment. This proposal provides a degree of closure and that is why we are supporting it.”
DUMBARTON - NO Manager Jim Duffy: “I do not think this is the right time to make this decision. We are a month into the shutdown and we can wait another month before deciding this. We can play midweek to catch up.”
EAST FIFE - NO Manager Darren Young: “If the final games in the Premiership can potentially be played then the games in the Championship, League One and League Two can potentially be played.”
FALKIRK - NO Chairman Gary Deans said: “We can’t vote for it in its current state. We thought we had a great chance to win the league. My question to the SPFL is, ‘Why are we reaching a decision so quickly, whilst we don’t have to reach a decision for the Premiership until later?”
MONTROSE - NO A spokesman said: “We believe there would be an integrity issue if teams were relegated with a quarter of the season to go.”
STRANRAER - NO Manager Stephen Farrell: “We are totally against it and believe forcing Stranraer into relegation is unfair. We are eight points behind Forfar with a game in hand and six of our final nine games at home. There has to be more work put in to come up with a Plan B as Plan A is unacceptable.” AIRDRIEONIANS - UNDECIDED Director of football Stuart Millar last night said: “We’ll make a final decision on Friday as we need to fully investigate this proposal while looking at what alternatives could be available.”
LEAGUE 2
ALBION ROVERS - YES Manager Kevin Harper said: “I do not know how this season can be finished without interfering with next. Teams should be promoted but relegation seems harsh and a debate over reconstruction should take place soon.”
ANNAN ATHLETIC - YES Club secretary Alan Irving said: “We will vote for the proposal as we have found no reason to vote against it. If it gets knocked back, we are not sure what way the SPFL can go.”
BRECHIN - YES Chairman Ken Ferguson said: “There is a big financial impact coming and managing that is the next step. There will be winners and losers. It’s an unprecedented situation but how do you practically come back and finish the leagues?
COVE RANGERS - YES League Two leaders Cove will vote for the plan that will see them promoted, although a spokesman told Record Sport: “No one can provide a comment on this as our footballing staff have been furloughed.”
COWDENBEATH - YES Manager Gary Bollan said: “We are looking to go for promotion but the safety of people just now is paramount so games cannot be played. In view of everything else that is going on if this is how the league is decided then it has to be accepted.”
ELGIN CITY - YES Boss Gavin Price said: “I would like the season played out as it is important for sporting integrity. But I can understand there are financial implications for lots of clubs and that’ll sway votes.”
STIRLING ALBION - YES Manager Kevin Rutkiewicz said: “It would have been nice to play out the season but I do not think there is a right or wrong solution. I have a lot of sympathy for clubs adversely affected especially as restructuring is my preferred option.”
EDINBURGH CITY - NO Boss James McDonaugh said: “I don’t think it is fair there are three different outcomes for teams at the bottom. Partick and Stranraer are set to be relegated whereas Hearts could play on and Brechin do not face a play-off. This does not feel right.”
QUEEN’S PARK - UNDECIDED President Gerry Crawley said: “I would have preferred a robust discussion on reconstruction and the implementation of three leagues of 14 clubs before
voting on this.” STENHOUSEMUIR - UNDECIDED Chief executive Jamie Swinney said: “We would like to see what other options are available before deciding finally.”