Old Firm clash days after pubs reopen
FOOTBALL chiefs have been slammed for scheduling an Old Firm match on the May Bank Holiday weekend – the first after beer gardens reopen.
The SPFL could have cut the risk by having champions Rangers host Celtic in the final derby of the season on two earlier dates.
But the programme for the top six fixtures, released last
night, pitches the Glasgow giants together on Sunday, May 2, just six days after bars hope to be able to sell booze outdoors on April 26.
The fixture potentially throws up a perfect storm for trouble, as Gers fans finally get the chance to have a legal celebration of their title win at a time when rival supporters will also be flooding the city.
Lib Dems justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said: “When the schedule was decided perhaps it wasn’t the brightest idea to put an Old Firm game on the first big weekend of the summer.”
Last weekend’s Old Firm match had looked to be on the edge of being postponed after the lockdown-flouting mass celebrations in Glasgow city centre after Rangers secured the league title earlier in the month.
From April 26, cafes, restaurants and bars are scheduled to be able to serve people outdoors – in groups of up to six from three households – until 10pm.
Specific efforts have been made in the past to avoid Celtic and Rangers being wrapped up in a title decider.
This time round, schedulers’ top priority was to avoid the Old Firm playing on the last day of the season, as the unfurling of the league flag inevitably raises passions.
This season’s final weekend will see the top-six fixtures take place on Saturday, May 15, with Sky Sports covering the match between Rangers and Aberdeen, kick-off 12.30pm.
An SPFL spokesman said there could be no change to the schedule now that it has been announced.
He added: “Our programme was compiled after we liaised with Police Scotland at every stage.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The setting of fixtures for the remainder of the season is a matter for the football authorities.”