Controversy surrounds the SPFL’s decision to schedule the final Old Firm game of thre season between Rangers and Celtic between a potential Europa League semi-final.
The authorities in Scotland came under fire in 2008 for refusing to assist Rangers in their hunt for UEFA Cup glory as the Gers made the final and were forced into four games in eight days.
This has intensified in recent years following claims from ex-SFA chairman George Peat regarding threats over any assistance from a rival club official [BBC Sport].
No prizes for working out who.
Now Rangers stand on the verge of history once more but it appears that either the SPFL don’t hold out hope the Gers will overcome Braga or that they are not concerned with making things easier for the club in the hunt for Euro glory.
Have SPFL made Rangers’ Europa League task harder with Celtic schedule?
Rangers should be given all the assistance the SPFL can possibly give them in this scenario given the unbelievable job the club has done in improving Scotland’s flailing coefficient in the Europa League in recent seasons.
Instead, after the post-split fixtures were announced, Rangers will have to go to Celtic Park in a must-win league game on May 1st between the scheduled semi-final dates on April 28th and May 5th, if the Gers get there.
Rangers currently trail Portuguese outfit Braga 1-0 from the first leg in Portugal and will be hoping a raucous Ibrox can turn the tie around in the second leg.
The SPFL are fully aware of this yet the ‘random fixture generator’ conveniently scheduled what is Rangers’ last chance of pegging back Celtic on this date.
Contrast this with the help of the Eredivisie organisers, who offered extended breaks to Ajax during their run to the Champions League semi-finals in 18/19 for the betterment of Dutch football.
Make no mistake, Rangers are getting no help from anyone in Scotland and if the club do manage the unthinkable and lift the Europa League trophy in Seville, then these figures needn’t dare attempt share any of the glory.
Meanwhile, Rangers’ Euro rivals Braga warmed up for their trip to Ibrox by defying the odds in their latest league game.
