Walter points out Celtic split discrepancies as well as our own

[Blue Stars Bearette 1]

Walter pointed out that in our UEFA final year we were told we would never again have 3 consecutive away fixtures after the split.....they forgot that

SPL unfazed by Rangers post-split fixture criticism

BBC

The Scottish Premier League has rubbished reports that post-split fixtures have been prepared to disadvantage Rangers or other clubs.

Rangers manager Walter Smith is seeking answers over what he believes is a historical "imbalance" in the fixture list affecting the Ibrox club.

However, suggestions that fixtures had been drawn up to disadvantage any club have angered the SPL.

"This is both objectionable and entirely ludicrous," a spokesman said.

The SPL has come under fire from several managers in Scotland's top flight who are unhappy with the post-split fixtures.

Motherwell have already complained to the SPL, asking for compensation because they have one less home fixture and have lost a potentially money-spinning one against Celtic.

The post-split fixtures are prepared on the basis of priorities, designed to ensure the best possible balance of fixtures across all 12 clubs

SPL spokesman

St Mirren also last week expressed their unhappiness at being asked to play a third game away to relegation rivals Falkirk.

And Rangers manager Smith is seeking clarification from the SPL, after citing seven occasions since the split was introduced 10 years ago that the Ibrox club have had to play a top-six rival away from home three times.

"There's a hell of an imbalance when you see it," Smith said after Sunday's 2-0 win over Hearts at Ibrox.

"The fact that we have to go to Tannadice three times and we are having to do that nearly every time.

"You've got to ask why Celtic have never had to do that at all and we've had to do it."

Responding to the recent criticism, a spokesman for the SPL said it would be happy to explain the post-split fixture schedule to any of the clubs in the league.

"This has happened in the past and may again in the future. We will respond to Rangers' letter once it is received," the spokesman said.

"Included in some reports is a suggestion that the fixtures have been prepared to disadvantage Rangers and other clubs.

"This is both objectionable and entirely ludicrous. As we have already pointed out, the post-split fixtures are prepared on the basis of priorities.

"These priorities are designed to ensure the best possible balance of fixtures across all 12 clubs and are pre-determined by the SPL board, advised by the SPL fixture working group