The 2019-20 Scottish Premiership season had to be cancelled due to the extended lockdown and now Celtic FC boss Neil Lennon has urged the authorities to postpone the first Old Firm Derby for next season as well.
The first derby of the campaign is held usually in September but there’s a big chance this match will have to be played inside an empty stadium due to the ongoing pandemic. And this is why Lennon has hinted that it would be in the best interest of everyone if this game was pushed back.
He said, as reported: “Everyone associated with the game would want that and the clubs would want that. I’m sure the TV companies would want that as well.
“If that (behind closed doors) is the way it has to be, that’s the way it has to be. But I do think the authorities will look at it and try to push it back. It’ll give us more of a chance of getting the punters back.
“Health and safety have to come first but, important as that is, I think it’s also really important to get football back.
“We know what football means to so many people in this country. We have a fantastic product here for the size of the country and it’s important we protect it and get it up and running as best we can.
“Hopefully in the not too distant future, we will have supporters and players back in unison again in the same stadiums with the same atmosphere.
“But maybe, as a short-term fix, behind closed doors is something myself and the players will have to adapt to.”
Will the Old Firm Derby be postponed?
Under normal circumstances, every match should be getting the same treatment but there’s no denying that the Old Firm Derby is the feather in the cap for not only Celtic and Rangers but also the SPFL.
All these sides earn the maximum revenue from this match so neither of them would be too keen to lose out on their finances by playing in front of empty seats inside the stadium.
Yes, this match is still a fair bit away but we a pretty confident the authorities will give the postponement a serious thought as and when they sit down to finalise the schedule for the 2020/21 season.
