MARTIN O’NEILL stepped into the Premiership split row to explain why Celtic will play their final league game of the season against Hearts at Parkhead.
There have been absurd claims of conspiracy with the champions being afforded home advantage on the last day.
Ally McCoist, the former Ibrox player and manager, added to barmy theories by insisting the Hoops had the easier list of fixtures because they are “running” Scottish football.
Hearts and Rangers have two games at home and three away, a situation which sparked schemes verging on imbecility among the game’s loudmouths.
Celtic will play 19 games at home and an equal number away – the same as the two other clubs.
MAKING A POINT…Martin O’Neill has his say on the touchline.
In the past, it has been usual procedure for the team leading the table at the split to be assured of a home match at the completion of the 38 fixtures.
Reasons have already been given for this season’s situation, as CQN reported earlier this week, but some observers have failed to be convinced.
Asked if the conspiracy comments carried any merit, O’Neill, speaking to talkSPORT, answered: “No, that’s the draw. Generally speaking when I was manager here before, the Celtic v Rangers game is one that’s played relatively early in proceedings.
“There’s a reason why that can’t happen. I think there is some sort of march taking place in Glasgow in the early parts of the split, so the Rangers game fell into the middle.
“I think that’s the reason and, subsequently, the Hearts game falls into the last match. You would have to ask the SPFL.”
Quizzed if the cards had fallen in favour of the Hoops, the Celtic interim boss added: “You’re talking about ‘lucking out’. We might be out of contention by that time.
“You never know, that’s the point.
“The very fact we have three at home because we need to have 19 home and 19 away games, I think that’s the only way the SPFL could have done it.”
In the meantime, O’Neill is now preparing his players for the visit of St Mirren on Saturday afternoon.
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