Old Firm Ne’erday game to be moved

With the SPL fixtures being released on Friday it looks as though the Ne’erday game will be brought forward to a midweek night in December

The move follows police advice in a bid to reduce the possibility of trouble surrounding the fixture.

SPL secretary Iain Blair told the Scottish Mail on Sunday: "We've been working with the police and government and their view is a midweek Old Firm derby is easier for them to deal with compared to the challenges presented by bank holidays, such as January 2.

"Wednesday 28 is a working day, as is Thursday 29, so let's see what happens.

"While the crowd situation at the actual games has been very good in recent years, their view is that what happens at the stadium has an effect on various parts around Scotland, excessive drinking etc, and the problems created.

"If there are things we can do that would minimise those opportunities, then we will look at them."

This is a bit a sad state of affairs for our little country as we admit we can’t hold a major football fixture on a Bank Holiday, despite doing so for generations. This is on top of not being able to stage an Old Firm title decider at the end of the season.

It is also comes across as an admission the Police are looking for the easy option and they are dictating the fixture list rather than what the fans would rather see.

This would now see the fans drop to third in the planning of fixtures behind the TV companies and the Police. No wonder our game is struggling the way it is….