The SPFL are holding back from announcing Celtic as their 2019/20 Premiership champions.
Yesterday UEFA confirmed that where fixtures can’t be played they will give national associations permission to decide final placings on sporting merit.
Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers were awarded the lower division titles last week on the basis that they had a higher average points per game total than anyone else in their division.
Using the same criteria Celtic have the highest score in the Premiership with 2.67 points per game while Hearts will be relegated.
Rather than rush to a decision the SPFL board will allow some public discussion to take place before deciding to finish the season and nominate their clubs for next season’s UEFA competitions.
The Sun reports:
The SPFL board have a meeting scheduled for Monday, but SunSport understands it’s highly unlikely any major announcement on ending the season will be made following that conference call.
Chief executive Neil Doncaster and chairman Murdoch MacLennan have both given assurances further soundings will be taken from clubs before any decision is made.
Hearts are still fighting to avoid automatic relegation, although their focus is on league reconstruction saving them from the drop now.
Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hibs are also against ending the 2019/20 season now, as they argue the campaign should be completed.
However, the SPFL executive effectively has the mandate to make a decision which would see prize money finally paid out to cash-strapped Scottish clubs.
The likelihood is it won’t happen for at least another week, but it seems certain to be rubber-stamped now Uefa have stepped aside.
Celtic have built up a 13-point lead with eight matches still to be played despite having the tougher fixture list. Neil Lennon’s side have been away to Aberdeen, Livingston and Motherwell twice. Under the current SPFL set up the hoops would be in line for a third away day against two of the teams in the top six of the table.