51st FLAG: WAIT FOR IT, CELTIC

CELTIC are edging closer to picking up their ninth successive title after the SPFL scrapped proposals for league reconstruction.

The Hoops were already on the brink of yet another championship when football went into lockdown in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Neil Lennon’s side were leading the table by THIRTEEN points with only eight games to play plus they possessed a superior goal difference of TWENTY-FIVE over their nearest challengers.

Scotland’s title kings have insisted they want to lift the 51st flag in the club’s history on the pitch, but it is increasingly likely the Hampden chiefs will call a halt to the top flight as they have already done with the other three divisions.

Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers have been handed the titles to their respective leagues and the Parkhead outfit will inevitably be crowned worthy champions of the Premiership.

The EGM on Tuesday will be pivotal in the ultimate decision by the SPFL bosses, despite futile opposition from some quarters.

At the other end of the scale, Hearts, following last night’s announcement to ditch reconstruction plans, face relegation. The Tynecastle outfit were rock bottom of the league, four points adrift of Hamilton Accies when the emergency curtain came down to call a halt to proceedings.

A 14-club SPFL task force had been meeting to discuss the plans to change the current 12-10-10-10 format to a possible 14-14-14 set-up – which would have saved the toiling Edinburgh side, Partick Thistle and Stranraer from the drop.

However, in the midst of the current turmoil, it has been decided that reconstruction is not the priority.

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: “The strong feeling of the group was that we must focus all of our energies on emerging from the crisis we face, due to the pandemic, on getting back to playing football safely and getting fans back into grounds as soon as practicably possible.

“Whilst the group sympathises with the plight of the situation the relegated teams are faced with, it concluded that this is not the right time to consider immediate reconstruction in the midst of a crisis.
“But the group is willing to engage in and pick up on these discussions once we are through COVID-19.”

While Celtic await the nod to pick up their title and Hearts face going through the trapdoor, the SPFL could make their historic decision next week.

ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT…

CQN would like to thank our readers for their patience in the interruption to the launch of Alex Gordon’s latest Celtic book, ‘Fifty Flags’, which was due to be published in March.

Unfortunately, production of the tome, which thoroughly examines the glorious half-century of seasons in which the Parkhead men were crowned Scotland champions, came to an unfortunate halt due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

The support for ‘Fifty Flags’ has been overwhelming and author Alex said: “The response to the book has been utterly astonishing and I can only say how totally grateful I am to CQN readers for their backing. I can only hope it will be worth the wait.

“We are depending on the printers letting us know when the run will commence and we are in their hands at the moment. It will be published this year and CQN will keep the readers up to date. Thanks for your patience, folks. It’s much appreciated. 

“Main thing, though, in these testing times is to take care and stay safe. See you all when we get the green light.”