CELTIC are on the brink of striking a deal with the production company behind BT Sport as they prepare for virtual season tickets with the new season due to kick off on August 1.
A report in the Daily Record indicates the Hoops chiefs have drafted in Sunset + Vine, the acknowledged team behind the satellite company’s coverage of Scottish, English and European football.
Old Parkhead favourites Chris Sutton, John Hartson, Gordon Strachan and Johan Mjallby are likely to be part of the package as they provide commentary and opinions.
Neil Lennon’s men will, of course, be forced to kick off their tilt at 10 in a row behind closed doors, but fans who buy season tickets will be able to stream the home matches.
Sunset + Vine have been providing BT Sports packages for several seasons and have also been involved in broadcasting the Champions and Europa League, as well as several World Cups and also European Championships.
Celtic are hoping to have fans back in the stadium as soon as the Scottish Government gives the green light, but will have the production team in place until spectators are allowed back into the ground.
League bosses, meanwhile, have knocked back reports that their new deal with Sky Sports would enable the broadcaster to televise 61 games in the first season, not 48 as had been announced.
The report claimed the new deal – worth £26million-per-year over five years – had been devalued with the addition of 13 more games at no extra fee.
A league spokesperson said: “The article stating that the SPFL’s deal with Sky Sports is for 61 games rather than 48 is entirely false.
“For the record, the Sky contract is for up to 48 games per season, as stated in all official communication from the SPFL.”
