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Celtic call for next season's fixture list to be released

Celtic call for next season's fixture list to be released
© Reuters
Champions look forward to 2020-21 and do not want calendar delayed.

Celtic have called for the Scottish Premiership fixture list to be issued as soon as possible after a target kick-off date of August 1 was set.

The fixture list is usually released in mid-June but that might not be possible this year given the lack of clarity over the size of the Premiership and dates for European competition.

Scottish football's suspension of activity is set to be lifted on June 11 but the Scottish Government has stressed that training must adhere to current guidelines of just two households training together until the next phase of the route out of the coronavirus lockdown is introduced.

A Celtic statement read: "Following yesterday's meeting involving Scottish Government and footballing authorities and subsequent announcement by Scottish football's joint response group, Celtic Football Club welcomes the proposed timetable set out in order to resume first team training and matches.

"We have been given a targeted return date for player training of June 11, 2020 with Scottish Premiership matches hoped to commence on August 1, 2020.

"Celtic has been working tirelessly to do all we can to assist in achieving a return to football and we would hope the SPFL are in a position as soon as possible, to issue the fixture calendar for the forthcoming season."

Chief executive Peter Lawwell, who took part in Friday's talks, added: "I would like to also thank all our medical, safety and operations staff at Celtic and those across football for the extensive work they have done in striving for a safe return for us all.

"Celtic has, for some time, been engaging with relevant experts in this field – knowledge and guidance which we have shared with the joint response group, other Scottish clubs and the Scottish Government  in order to support a safe, effective and quick return to football.

Peter Lawwell contributed to the talks
Peter Lawwell contributed to the talks (PA)

"Clearly, the important work we have done will be crucial as we move forward. We need to get back to football, safely, as soon as possible. That is our message and that is our aim.

"Our supporters are everything to us and our focus, ultimately, will be to do all we can to bring our fans back to matches as soon as we can.

"Our promise is to work as hard as we can to get our fans back to Celtic Park, to liaise closely with Government and the footballing authorities to find solutions and return to normal as soon as possible.

"The majority of leagues across Europe are back training, some already playing and many already with agreements in place to bring supporters back to matches. We can assure our fans that this will also be Celtic's priority."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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