YOU’RE NOT ON
Celtic are poised to resist SFA plan for f ixture switch
CELTIC will oppose any demand by the SFA for a cancellation of Premiership fixtures before Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-off clash with Israel.
Steve Clarke’s side play the Israelis at Hampden on Thursday, March 26, with the winners due to play either Norway or Serbia in Oslo or Belgrade.
Israel have already cancelled the domestic league calendar scheduled for the weekend before the Nations League semi-final to host a training camp for their squad.
In contrast, an SFA appeal to their SPFL counterparts to rearrange Premiership games on March 21/22 looks doomed to failure due to the logistics. The winter break and the failure of clubs to agree to the cancellation of Scottish Cup replays leaves no alternative midweek dates in the calendar.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon also harbours concerns over the potential for fixture congestion and admits the Scottish champions are against the move.
‘Our opinion is it wouldn’t suit us,’ said the Parkhead boss. ‘It wouldn’t be ideal for us, put it that way.’
Lennon was previously supportive
of a postponement. Speaking last month, he said: ‘Steve should get what he wants because the national team is a priority and these play-offs coming up are probably the most important games Scotland have had (since the Euro 2004 play-off against Holland).
‘So the authorities should give him whatever he wants and needs for those games.’
Since then, however, Celtic’s position has changed.
Currently seeking clarification from the governing body over the rationale for a three-match ban for Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie, the Parkhead club insist they opposed the postponement of Premiership games before their dispute with the governing body.
Likely to lend Christie, Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Greg Taylor and Lewis Morgan to Clarke’s squad, qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League would mean playing a Premiership game on the Sunday four days before the one-off play-off fixture.
And their opposition to the SFA plan looks liable to kill the idea once and for all.
Confirming the Israeli League were happy to cancel games, chairman Erez Pelephone said: ‘We have approved a request by manager Andreas Herzog to cancel the fixtures before they play Scotland.
‘This will allow the players to go to a training camp four days before the game and will also rest them.
‘This was done to help the Israeli team. We are all united behind the team and wish it success in the play-offs.’