SPL Secretary Iain Blair has attempted to explain the main questions regarding the SPL split but avoided the two main issues.
Blair has answered six questions on the SPL split but doesn’t explain why it took five days to publish the fixtures or explain the criteria used to decide which clubs face three home or three away matches.
Once the final whistle had been blown on Saturday the teams in the top and bottom half of the SPL were known but clearly there must have been some negotiating and trading before the fixtures were published this afternoon.
Celtic have been handed a third trip to Kilmarnock who also host Rangers in the final weeks of the season to the delight of the commercial department at Rugby Park.
Last season Celtic enjoyed three home matches with Motherwell- surely in the interests of fair play Celtic should have been given a third trip to Fir Park?
Kilmarnock’s place in the top six wasn’t anticipated, they are effectively replacing Hibs but appear to have struck gold at the expense of Dundee United.
The Tannadice side have been regulars in the top six for a number of seasons but find themselves facing a third trip to Ibrox with just one home match over the season against Rangers.
With neither Celtic or Rangers visiting Tannadice after the break the turnstiles will be clicking slowly between now and the start of next season.
Blair attempted to explain the imbalance in fixtures but surely balancing the games out between the clubs chasing the title has to be the first priority.
A third away trip to Kilmarnock or Motherwell is unavoidable for Celtic but no explanation is offered as to why Kilmarnock was chosen ahead of Motherwell.
By the same token Rangers were due to play someone at home for a third time. Surely that third home fixture, to replace the missing match against Hibs, should be against one of the clubs in fifth or sixth place rather than Dundee United who are currently in fourth place?
The SPL have replied to my email explaining that the delay in announcing the fixtures was due to finalising which games are to be televised live. The over-riding priority is to ensure an even split of 19 home and 19 away fixtures which appears not to take account of the league position of the opponents.
It is a bit of a rubic cube, thanks to the SPL for their prompt reply.
How are the fixtures for rounds 34-38 determined?
The most important thing is to try to ensure clubs finish the season having played 19 games at home and 19 away. We are pleased to say this has been achieved for 2010/11, although in the past some clubs have had 18 home fixtures and 20 away or vice versa.
Will some clubs play certain opponents three times at home and once away?
Yes. Clubs have indicated the highest priority is 19 home and 19 away matches. Unfortunately, to facilitate this, some clubs will need to ‘gain’ one home game and some will need to ‘lose’ one to ensure balance.
So what games have been switched?
In the top six, Rangers will host Dundee United for a third time, Celtic will travel to Kilmarnock for a third time and Hearts are at home to Motherwell for a third time. In the bottom six, the St Mirren v Hamilton Accies fixture will be played in Paisley for a third time.
How do you decide which fixtures are reversed?
We try to minimise the disruption so look to switch the fewest number of matches to achieve a 19 home/19 away balance. We also try to ensure there is no reversal of any of the derby matches. And we also look at what has happened in recent years. This season, for example, Dundee United are losing a home game against Rangers but last season Dundee United gained an Old Firm game at the expense of Motherwell.
Is it possible to avoid reversing fixtures?
The fixtures for the whole season are based on where the clubs finished in the league in the previous campaign. If Hibernian had made the top six, at the expense of Kilmarnock, as they did in 2009/10, then we would have achieved the perfect balance of all clubs playing 19 games at home, 19 away, playing each of the teams in their half of the split twice at home and twice away.
Why was the Rangers v Celtic game scheduled for April 24?
It is well understood that we seek to minimise the likelihood of the Old Firm derby being a title decider. With the championship race being close it made sense to schedule this game soon after the split and round 34 was decided upon following consultation with the police and the clubs.
Why have the split at all?
In order to accommodate a league of 12 clubs, without forcing them to play too many matches (44), the split is essential. It also provides additional interest in the run up to the split itself. The final five games then involve teams playing each other to chase a common objective, whether that is European qualification or to retain their SPL status by avoiding relegation. I don’t think we would have witnessed so many final-day dramas in the last few seasons without it.
Do you see the split ever being scrapped?
It is not really a question of the split being scrapped but it might disappear as a consequence of a different league structure being adopted, as would be the case if the proposed top division of 10 clubs was introduced. The clubs meet again this Monday (April 18) for further discussions but for Season 2011/12 – which begins on July 23 – the current system will remain in place. Ultimately, some clubs will be happy with their post-split fixtures – others less so. But unless and until clubs vote to adopt a different league structure, the split and the imbalances it creates are here to stay.
Kenny Clark- the SFA are cowardly and ambarrassing
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The split is a joke and another laughing stock of scottish football. NO SPLIT NO PROBLEMS!
Hail Hail