Rangers say season must be completed
RANGERS claim that any attempt to confirm final standings before 38 Ladbrokes Premiership games are completed would impact on the “integrity of sport”.
There appears little prospect of the campaign being finished in the next few months following a serious escalation of measures to slow down the spread of coronavirus.
The Scottish Professional Football League announced yesterday that fixtures would be suspended “pending any Government order and/or further direction from the Scottish FA”.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon last week stated that his side should be crowned champions if the season could not be completed.
After 30 matches, Lennon’s team are 13 points clear of Rangers, who have a game in hand.
But Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson said in a statement: “It is our firm view that this season’s league competition is only complete when all 38 games are played by all teams.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we believe that final standings can only be confirmed when all games have been completed, not before.
“Any attempt to finish the season with a significant amount of games still to play impacts upon the integrity of sport in Scotland.
“Furthermore, we are strongly opposed to playing games behind closed doors. Rangers fans have stuck by our club in the darkest of times. Their loyalty will not be forgotten and they will not be left behind.
“We are cognisant of the uncertainty surrounding the future of many businesses and people’s jobs because of a potential lengthy extended break.
“We must be mindful that football goes well beyond the result of a match. Football brings us all together, it provides countless people with a livelihood and we will work to ensure no one runs roughshod over people’s lives.
“We will continue to maintain a watchful eye on the decisions of footballs governing bodies. Let me reassure the fans that we will not be found wanting in this situation.”
FORMER Swansea City striker Oli Mcburnie admits he’s perhaps been guilty of forgetting his responsibilities as a footballer, but claims the ‘aggro’ he dished out as a player was a key factor in catching the eye of Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder.
The Scotland international arrived at Bramall Lane for a club-record fee of £17 million last summer, having been one of Swansea’s shining lights under former boss Graham Potter.
Mcburnie has become a big favourite with Blades fans, who have watched on with astonishment as their side continue to hover around the Champions League places.
The former Bradford City prospect enjoyed a strong relationship with Swansea’s Jack Army too during his time in SA1, and has even mixed in with fans on a handful of away days this season.
As well as an appearance at Loftus Road for Swansea’s clash with QPR earlier in the season, Mcburnie turned up to cheer on his former team alongside current centre-back Joe Rodon in the South Wales derby at Cardiff City Stadium.
However, the striker caused controversy after appearing to make “offensive gestures” towards Cardiff City fans, with Blades boss Wilder responding by reminding the player of his responsibilities.
And, in a unique behind-thescenes interview for SUTV , Mcburnie admits that he still struggles to deal with the sense of responsibility that comes with being a Premier League footballer.
“I get seen a lot more than other people because of the situations I get myself into,” he said.
“But people have to remember I’m a 23-year-old lad, living back at home for the first time since I was 17.
“I’m around my friends again so it’s hard sometimes, remembering the responsibilities you have.
“But it’s all worth it at the end of the day.
“You’ve got to remember you’re in the public eye a lot, and everything you’re seen doing has an effect on other people. And your image as well.”
Mcburnie often wears his heart on his sleeve as a player too, and claims an on-the-pitch bust-up with Wilder when he was still playing for the Swans actually helped win over the Blades boss.
He added: “I remember my agent