Ally McCoist has had his say on the looming SPFL split, and while his comments were delivered with a smile, they touch on a familiar gripe whenever the fixtures are announced. With the title race tightening, attention is already shifting toward how the final five games might fall for both Celtic and Rangers.
Celtic’s 3-1 win over Motherwell kept the pressure on at the top. It wasn’t perfect, but they responded well after going behind and took control once the game opened up. Rangers, meanwhile, had their own test and showed how quickly momentum can swing when chances are missed.
That is where the split comes into focus. Once the league divides, every fixture carries more weight. There are no easier games left, and the balance between home and away games can shape how the run-in feels.
McCoist leaned into that point in his own way. It was said with a laugh, but it reflects how supporters on both sides often view the split fixtures before a ball is even kicked.
He said: (talkSPORT), “The Kilmarnock game was a brilliant result and Celtic had a good result beating Motherwell.
“I know Motherwell went down to ten man but it’s still a good 3-1.
“I watched the Rangers game. 1-0 up, should have been two or three and then you know what it’s like, the nerves kick in a little bit.
“I don’t know when the fixtures come out but I think you’ll get your usual five home games and we’ll get one at home and four away. You know something like that will happen.
“The Celtic Rangers game will be big, but Rangers have got to go to Tynecastle and I think Celtic have to play Hearts at Parkhead.
“Motherwell again and you forget, Falkirk are a good team. They are. and I keep going on about it, but what a job he’s done, John McGlynn.”
There is always a sense that the split throws up quirks. Some seasons one side ends up with more home matches, others feel more balanced. It rarely looks even at first glance.
The reality is simpler once the games begin. Celtic still have to face the same teams in the top half. Trips to places like Tynecastle test any side, while home matches only count if you take control early and keep it.
The fixtures are not set yet, and the focus stays on winning the next match vs Dundee United. Once the split arrives, the complaints will inevitably follow. They always do.
The ludicrous nature of the split is revealed every year with this nonsense, whereby teams end up having more home or away games over a season than their rivals. Time to decide either expand SPL to 18 teams with 3 up snd 3 down. Cut it to 10 teams with everyone playing an equal amount of H and A games, playing each other 4 times over a 36 game per team season. or leave with 12 in SpL but no split and a 44 game season for teams. I prefer the 44 game option with a rule stating that 25 player 1st team squads must include 8 home grown players and 5 under 21s. That would ensure youth players have pathway
celtic will play 5 away sevco scotland rc 2012 will get home games 5 as usual they are lucky when the computer is spinning just ask the corrupt sfa.spfl the men who run the corrupt game in scotland masonic fuckpigs scumbags..
We will overcome. We will win the league .