Former Celtic and Scotland boss Gordon Strachan does not want the league season ended early despite SPFL proposals.
The ex-Parkhead manager also pointed to the season his Celtic side overturned an eight-point Rangers lead to win the title with 10 games to go.
Scottish football is currently at a standstill as fans and clubs await the outcome of member votes on an SPFL proposal which would see the season called on average points.
Whilst Strachan understands the financial situation – current proposals appear to hamstring clubs into voting to secure prize money – Strachan foresees years of legal battles if the SPFL gets it wrong.
“One way or another, you have to finish this season,” said Strachan [Daily Record].
“It’s not financially huge in Scotland, it’s not a billion quid, but you’ll never get anyone to agree to missing out on promotion or getting relegated when it’s taken out of their hands.
“It’s too tricky, too political, and too divisive.
“The plan seems to be finish the Premiership. That’s great. And then to promote Dundee United, which nobody would have a problem with, because they’re so far ahead.
“But after that it gets complicated. So, for everyone’s sake, I think you have to play the rest of the games. I don’t care where, or who’s watching, just play them.
“I hear a lot of people talking about doing what’s best for Scottish football. Really? Is anyone actually doing that?
“Football has always been about looking out for number one. If the season is cut short, you’ll have teams looking into all sorts of legal loopholes.
“Football could be stuck in legal battles forever. Literally. If you’ve got clever enough lawyers, they’ll make sure it lasts forever.
“Which is fair enough, it’s what you’d want your team to do if you were relegated without being able to play the games. If you’ve got a shot of staying up, you don’t want to give up.
“Stupid things can happen in football, I know that from experience.
“When I was at Celtic we were something like eight points behind Rangers with ten games to go, and we won the league.
“We can cut next season short, lose things like the League Cup, but we have to finish this season first.
“I’m sure even Celtic will want to win the games that officially makes them champions. And then, if the season is played, if a club is relegated they can have no arguments.”
The comments come as Rangers release a statement claiming fellow SPFL clubs have informed them they are being bullied and coerced into voting in favour of the SPFL proposals [Rangers].
The Ibrox side’s Members Resolution was designed to buy clubs more time to make a decision with prize money handed out and the league season not yet brought to a conclusion.
This was not found to be competent by league bosses with Rangers set to submit an updated resolution which they hope can be voted on by clubs.
Clubs will vote on the SPFL proposals throughout the day with the deadline for all 42 member clubs said to be 5pm tonight.
