Post split fixtures released

Although it's of little more than academic interest the SPL have tonight issued their post-split fixtures.

The Celtic-Rangers match will be played on Tuesday May 4, kick off 7.45, the second last game of the season.

Next Saturday Celtic face Hibs at home with a 12.15 kick-off which should further reduce the attendance on the back of today's result.

The remaining fixtures see Celtic travel to Dundee United on April 25 for another 12.15 kick off, Motherwell visit Celtic on May 1, for the second time in a month before the Rangers game with the season official end of the season coming at Tynecastle on Sunday May 9 with a 1.30pm kick off.

As a result of the split Celtic will have faced Motherwell at home three times this season.

SPL fixtures

On a lighter note

Firstly, it was refreshing to hear Neil Lennon's after match thoughts following today's unspeakable performance and result at Hampden.

The caretaker boss will take his share of the blame, the performance of today's players was no real surprise with no-one emerging with any credibility.

The fall-out will be interesting but only Paul Caddis and Paul McGowan, two relatively untried reserves, offer any options to change the team against Motherwell.

From Lennon's quotes it looks like Georgios Samaras and Marco Fortune may not be seen again in a Celtic jersey, with Landry N'Guemo possibly suffering the same fate.

Anyway the Celtic u-19 side were in action at Stirling University today and beat Falkirk 2-0 to go nine points ahead of Rangers who have four games left to play.

Darren McCauley opened the scoring in the first half with Greig Spence seeling the points in the second half, scoring for the sixth game running.

It's a big leap and hardly the ideal circumstances but perhaps Tuesday night against Motherwell could be the time to give Spence his debut.

Fixture decision today: May 5 likely for Celtic-Rangers

The SPL are hoping to announce the post-split fixtures today and finally name the date for the final Celtic-Rangers fixture.

Whoever it was that said that there would never be a Celtic-Rangers title decider/clincher really has dropped the SPL in it with the same scenario played out virtually every season.

With Rangers six points away from clinching the championship, or two matches away, the least problematic date for the match looks like being Wednesday May 5.

Saturday May 1 could be considered but an additional factor to the equation is that the police don't seem to like Celtic playing Rangers on a bank holiday weekend although they haven't had any additional problems with fixtures over the festive season.

A midweek fixture isn't ideal but is probably considered the least problematic but again puts out long distance Celtic fans who have only had four Saturday home matches this season.

All being well for the SPL the top six will be decided today with Hearts requiring a draw or a St Johnstone defeat to secure their place in the top six.

If that comes to pass the fixtures will be published tonight, if not it's back to plan B tomorrow including St Johnstone.

As ever there will be anomolies around with Celtic having played Dundee United, Hibs, Motherwell and Hearts at home twice already this season.

Celtic are due three home matches after the split meaning that two clubs can expect a third trip to Celtic Park- will one of those clubs be Dundee United with both clubs contending for second place?

There is no easy solution to the fixture issue created by the split but perhaps the SPL should issue the full fixtures at the start of the season based on the previous season's standings.

Although there is virtually no chance of the same teams finishing in the top six it would create a framework for the fixtures rather than leave supporters trying to second guess what's going on.

Last season's fixtures provided their share of controversy with the timing of the Rangers-Celtic game allowing Madjid Bougherra to return from suspension and giving Rangers three home games with Hearts and three away to Hibs.

Click here later today for the post-split fixtures- Hearts, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and St Johnstone permitting!

Rangers slip up as double chasing youths prepare for Falkirk challenge

Celtic's double chasing u-19 side travel to Stirling University tomorrow to face Falkirk with the match kicking-off at 11am.

Last week's 1-0 win over Rangers has put Stevie Frail's side into the driving seat for the title with just three matches left to play after the clash with Falkirk.

Rangers 0-0 draw with St Johnstone earlier today leaves the young hoops six points clear at the top of the table with Rangers having played a game fewer.

A win tomorrow against Falkirk, who they defeated 4-1 last month, would stretch Celtic's lead at the top of the table to nine points.

With the SFA Youth Cup to be contested against Rangers at Hampden on April 28 the u-19 side have the possibility of winning the double but Frail has been keeping their attention focussed on Falkirk.

He said: "I know it's cliched we can't afford to look any further than the next match and Falkirk will be a tough match for us.

"The players are looking forward to the match and we've had a good week in training after the result last week against Rangers.

"We had a bounce game against Airdrie during the week where we played a few of our under-seventeen players and we had some players involved in the reserves 4-1 win over Hamilton.

"We've got ourselves into a good position in the league but we have to keep on winning, we're looking forward to the Falkirk match, we're confident about it but we know it will be another tough test."

Whatever level Celtic play Rangers at the match will always be the benchmark to judge players against.

Last Saturday's 1-0 win at Murray Park over Billy Kirkwood's team couldn't be described as a classic but showed the nerve and professionalism of the squad.

While developing and encouraging players is important installing a winning mentality is just as vital.

Frail added: "There was a lot to be encouraged with from the win last week, looking back at the game I was pleased with the professionalism that we showed.

"The game was tight but we held our nerve and even when we didn't have the ball we worked well.

"It might be a cynical part of the game but when we went in front we used the ball well, we played out time in the right areas.

"Even at senior level you see teams losing important goals late on and it's important to use the ball well when you are ahead in a tight match.

"The win last week was pleasing but we've got to move forward now and everyone is concentrating on facing Falkirk."

Lennon describes the appeal process as a nonsense

Neil Lennon has added his backing to the demands to reform the appeals process describing the current set up as a nonsense.

Support to overhaul the current procedure which sees referee's review their own decisions was set in motion last week by Players Union boss Fraser Wishart and an open letter from Celtic Chairman John Reid.

SPL Chief Neil Doncaster has also backed the campaign to change forcing Gordon Smith to admit that he too is now in favour of reforming the system.

Asked about the current system on Celtic's Channel 67 service Lennon said: "I think it's a nonsense. You appeal a decision and then the referee, who made the decision, looks at it again agrees that he was right in the first place!

"Surely it has got to be done by an independent body to get a neutral opinion on it. I'm glad that it is being looked at again. I certainly don't agree with the current system.

"Possibly this will take some pressure off the referees, I don't think that there's anything wrong with saying 'look I've got that one wrong or I've made a wrong decision'.

"If someone else comes in and says that three or four people think that was decision was wrong that's fair. We're just looking for a bit of common sense in the game."

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Downsizing begins for Strachan at Boro

Despite retaining some hopes of reaching the Premiership play-off's, and a one in four chance of promotion, Middlesbrough are scaling down their squad for next season as they prepare for another term in The Championship.

Midfielder Gary O'Neil was left out of Monday's 2-0 win at Plymouth which would have been his 100th Boro appearance- and triggered a £1m payment to former club Portsmouth.

Despite the financial madness that dominates English football 'Boro chairman Steve Gibson won't be rushing a cheque off to help Portsmouth just for the sake of 90 minutes from O'Neil.

Fulham and Blackburn are both reported to be interested in the midfielder as 'Boro prepare for the second and final £11.5m parachute payment from the Premiership.

Gordon Strachan funded his January spending, extensively on Celtic players, with the sale of Adam Johnston to Manchester City for £8m.

Selling the club's better players to fund reinforcements seems like the way forward for Strachan who is likely to turn to the SPL in the summer to boost his squad.

Reading between the lines it seems that a permanent deal to sign Stephen McManus might be a bit steep for 'Boro to consider when a transfer fee and wages are tallied up.

Just like in the majority of his time at Celtic Strachan will be expected to wheel and deal on a moderate budget whilst some others in the division over extend themselves in a bid to reach the Premiership.

Whatever clubs are relegated from the Premiership are unlikely to 'do a Newcastle' and take the hit of continuing to pay out big wages on the gamble of an instant return although in Newcastle's case they mainly retained players because there was no interest elsewhere in matching their St James Park wages.

SPL Chief backs calls to change the appeals process

SPL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster has thrown his weight behind calls to change disciplinary matters in Scottish football and specifically the controversial appeals process.

Last week saw some verbal sparring between John Reid and Gordon Smith as the simmering row between Celtic and the SFA rumbled on.

Celtic have gone public twice this season with their concerns about displinary matters. In October they asked for clarity on the criteria used to bring matters to the attention of the Review Panel and then criticised the appeals process that saw their appeal against a red card for Scott Brown being decided by the match referee, Dougie McDonald.

Detecting the widespread desire to alter the disciplinary system, Doncaster has used his SPL blog to state the case for reform.

"We need an open and transparent appeals system – one that is entirely independent of those making the decisions in the first place," the SPL Chief claims.

"I have huge sympathy for any referee who makes an honest and genuine mistake while the eyes of several hundred thousand critical viewers look on. But by insisting that the referee is part of the appeals process, we make his job even tougher than it already is."

Doncaster appears keen to avoid getting bogged down in the past with long standing grievances and presents an impressive enthusiasm to move things forward without point-scoring.

Whether that sort of attitude has a place in Scottish football remains to be seen with most observors despairing at the slow pace of change and unwillingness to take on fresh approaches.

Stressing the need to remove the match referee from any appeal Doncaster highlights FIFA legislation which allows decisions to reviewed without the referees involvement, in summary he adds: "Because FIFA’s own disciplinary committee is able to do these things in relation to a FIFA match, any other football association around the World can do the same for matches under its own jurisdiction. Hence the reason why the English FA do not force referees to review their own mistakes."

Looking for a solution rather than the cause of the current unrest Doncaster says: "Let’s admit that referees have a tough job and sometimes need help to make the best decisions. Let’s not have an appeals system in place that relies on referees admitting their mistakes.

"In this way we will prevent compounding a genuine error on the field of play with another, this time avoidable error, which adds points or suspensions to an innocent player’s disciplinary record."

Neil Doncaster's SPL blog

FA move quickly to demote referee

Problems and issues with referees happens throughout the game, mistakes are made, even Champions League ties and World Cup qualifiers have suffered from terrible refereeing decisions.

Dealing with those mistakes is crucial to retaining respect for the game with the FA moving swiftly to demote Mike Dean after his sub-standard performance in the Manchester United-Chelsea match.

The showpiece match between the two favourites for the Premiership crown was marred by mistakes from Dean and his assistant Simon Beck, the sort of decisions that didn't need multiple camera angles to detect.

The FA have a body called Professional Game Match Officials Limited in charge of appointing officials with Dean unlikely to see another high profile Premiership game this season.

On Saturday, seven days after being in charge at Old Trafford he'll be in charge at Ashton Gate as Bristol City host Swansea in The Championship.

Dean's next Premiership appointment will be on April 14 as fourth official at the Wigan-Portsmouth match which is probably as far removed from refereeing a Manchester United-Chelsea match as you can get in the Premiership.

Other than the spectacular demise of Mike McCurry, which was probably more related to off-field actions and comments, the SFA seem reluctant to acknowledge or address mistakes from referees.

The English FA does have a far bigger pool of officials to select from and are represented at the major championships but the SFA seem reluctant to demote their referees.

Getting Scottish referees in contention for the major European matches and international competitions is a worthwhile goal but if the same referees are making repeated mistakes and still being awarded the bigger matches it's not offering much of an example to referees further down the ladder.

Refereeing is a part-time job for Scottish referees, it's not their main source of income.

Creating a more competitive environment where sub-standard performances are punished with demotion for a month or two from SPL matches should ensure that those that perform erratically are kept away from the top games.

A spell down the divisions getting decisions right and restoring confidence wouldn't do a referee any harm, when they return to the high profile SPL matches they'll be more determined than ever to get things right.

Just ask Mike Dean as he heads to Bristol City on Saturday.

Willie McStay's unbelievable time in Hungary

by Joe McHugh "An unbelievable experience," was the phrase that Willie McStay used tonight to describe his time with Ujpest Dozsa.

Resigning from the post as first team coach yesterday wasn't done lightly or in the heat of the moment but looking back at his stint in Hungary there are no regrets from the former Celtic reserve and youth team boss.

"It has been a fantastic experience and I'll be returning a different person and a different coach," McStay admitted.

"After coming out to a totally different football environment, adapting to a strange language and having a degree of success I've learned so much. It's been priceless.

"Working for a famous club has been great for me. There was a lot of success in the first part of the season and I got a great response from the players.

"There are some fantastic memories, beating Ferencvaros in the derby match was very special for the fans.

"We got into a good position in the league and the cup. We beat Videoton home and away to reach the semi-finals of the Magyar Cup and won away at Debrecen while they were involved in the Champions League

"I've enjoyed my time immensely and have nothing but good memories about Ujpest. I've learned a lot about myself as a person and as a coach and wish Ujpest all the best in the future."
McStay will return to Celtic next week with midfielder Mark Millar also likely to cut short his loan deal with Ujpest.

Willie McStay resigns as Ujpest Dozsa manager

Willie McStay has resigned as manager of Ujpest Dozsa with the club in deep financial trouble.

Despite taking the Budapest side to third place in the league and the semi finals of the Magyar Cup in the first half of the season it's believed that some players haven't been paid wages since before Christmas.

McStay has been attempting to keep the players focussed and motivated against that backdrop but has watched his side lose four out of five matches since the end of their winter break.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat away to Haladas turned out to be his last match in charge of the club with Ujpest accepting his resignation yesterday.

McStay had hoped to stay on until the after the return leg of Ujpest's Magyar Cup semi-final with ZTE on April 14 but opted to quit yesterday.

Joe McBride, McStay's assistant at Ujpest will also be leaving the club.

Speaking after the defeat at Haladas McStay said: "I am proud of the players. They did everything to get the win today. We worked hard with lots of devotion and at times played well. The players battled fantastically.

"We had more chances when we were down to 10 men than Haladas, and I feel that we did everything to try and get the equaliser, and then go on to score the winner. 

"Sadly a laughable decision by the referee signalled the games turning point. What Zoltan Pollack did was everything but not acting. The referee was inconsistent and did not punish the other teams players for the same things. 

"From the country that I come from, the football association would not hand out a ban to a player for that, and that would show that the referee got it wrong. Perhaps I seem angry about the referee's decision, but as a sportman, I would like to congratulate Haladas, as they fought very well."

Ujpest website statement.

Total breakdown as SPL bosses repeatedly criticise referees

Billy Reid has become the latest manager to openly criticise refereeing decisions in games against Rangers.

Craig Brown, Gus MacPherson and Peter Houston have all been outspoken about decisions in recent months as has the Celtic website.

Not much more than a year ago the SPL were delighted to announce that they had come to an agreement with club managers to prevent public criticism of referees.

The announcement came six months after Craig Levein had been hit with a massive fine for his comments about Mike McCurry's performance during a 3-1 defeat from Rangers at Ibrox.

A new maturity seemed to be breaking out within the game suggesting that general grievances would be looked at professionally provided that managers held back from public criticism.

The cynics wondered how long the love-in would last.

This season's events have consigned the 'peace-process' into the dustbin of history with managers despairing at decisions going against their teams.

Despite the regular criticism of decisions the SFA seem very reluctant to discipline managers with the charge of 'bringing the game into disrepute' virtually forgotten.

Hamilton boss Reid didn't even bother to look at a slow-motion replay of James McArthur's disallowed goal such was his conviction that his 'goalscorer' was onside.

Accies are currently clear of the relegation dogfight but if Falkirk and Kilmarnock continue to pick up wins they  could find themselves scrapping to beat the drop after the split.

Reid said: "I haven't seen McArthur's goal on the monitor but I don't need to.

"I knew Joel was offside when the cross came in but James wasn't. He came from deep, timed his run well and I'm told he was three yards onside.

"I was celebrating the goal so I'm disappointed it wasn't given. I had a word with the ref but he had a hard decision.

"Some they get right, some they get wrong. He called this one wrong."

Despite the popular opinion that it is Celtic that are most upset about refereeing decisions very little has been said by the club.

The first time that any official criticism was made was on February 28 when Dougie McDonald's decision to send-off Scott Brown at Ibrox was appealed- and dismissed by McDonald.

Even in a match where the referee admitted to a mistake in not awarding Celtic a penalty, against Rangers in October, Tony Mowbray's criticisms were all aimed at his central defenders rather than referee Craig Thomson.

Elsewhere managers have been highly critical of officials ranging from elder statesman Craig Brown to caretaker Peter Houston at Dundee United.

After having a 'goal' disallowed for offside against Rangers to put his side two up in a game that was eventually drawn 1-1 Motherwell boss Craig Brown almost got angry.

He said: "I feel very aggrieved. All he has to do is look along the line.

"I've had this feeling before at international level when the other team gets decisions like these and now I know what it feels like at club level. I call them big team decisions.

"There's a sense of injustice in the dressing room. I really feel that at 2-0 the game would have been over."

After losing 3-1 to Rangers at Ibrox last month St Mirren manager MacPherson was more outspoken about refereeing inconsistencies.

The St Mirren boss said: "David Weir impeded Michael Higdon in the process of shooting, he affected how he was shooting. There's a decision to get made there. No decision was made.

"We watch games, we go to games and we see clips on the BBC and we see a different set of rules getting applied. None more so than when we're coming here (to Ibrox)."

During his side's Scottish Cup tie with Rangers Dundee United caretaker boss Peter Houston watched his side's 1-0 lead become a 3-1 deficit courtesy of two penalties that certainly fell into the 'soft' category.

Despite fighting back to earn a replay which they eventually won Houston wasn't afraid to come out and criticise referee Dougie McDonald despite knowing that the same official would be in charge of the replay.

Houston said: "I am disappointed and I just wonder if the penalties would have been given at the other end. I hope they would have been.

"Dougie is an honest referee in normal circumstances, I think he is one of the best in Scotland but I was disappointed that he got there early to give the penalty kicks."

What is going on in the background between the clubs and the SFA is anyone's guess but it shouldn't be forgotten that the clubs are the SFA with an Annual General Meeting coming up next month.

The standard of refereeing is clearly a major concern as is the appeals process with Celtic chairman John Reid and SFA Chief Executive Gordon Smith issuing statements clearly aimed at one another.

When a third of the managers in a division are complaining about an issue it is clearly worthy of investigation.

Turning the other cheek or hiding behind the 'it even's itself out over the season' cop out surely can't be an option for managers or their clubs.