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Coronavirus latest: Rangers chief criticises suggestion of ending season

Coronavirus latest: Rangers chief criticises suggestion of ending season
© Reuters
Celtic manager Neil Lennon last week stated that his side should be crowned champions if the season could not be completed.

Rangers claim that any attempt to confirm final standings before 38 Ladbrokes Premiership games are completed would impact on the "integrity of sport".

There appears little prospect of the campaign being finished in the next few months following a serious escalation of measures to slow down the spread of coronavirus.

The Scottish Professional Football League announced on Monday that fixtures would be suspended "pending any Government order and/or further direction from the Scottish FA".

Celtic manager Neil Lennon last week stated that his side should be crowned champions if the season could not be completed.

After 30 matches, Lennon's team are 13 points clear of Rangers, who have a game in hand.

But Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson said in a statement: "It is our firm view that this season's league competition is only complete when all 38 games are played by all teams.

"For the avoidance of doubt, we believe that final standings can only be confirmed when all games have been completed, not before.

"Any attempt to finish the season with a significant amount of games still to play, impacts upon the integrity of sport in Scotland.

Stewart Robertson has sent out a warning shot
Stewart Robertson has sent out a warning shot (PA)

"Furthermore, we are strongly opposed to playing games behind closed doors. Rangers fans have stuck by our club in the darkest of times. Their loyalty will not be forgotten and they will not be left behind.

"We are cognisant of the uncertainty surrounding the future of many businesses and people's jobs because of a potential lengthy extended break.

"We must be mindful that football goes well beyond the result of a match. Football brings us all together, it provides countless people with a livelihood and we will work to ensure no one runs roughshod over people's lives.

"We will continue to maintain a watchful eye on the decisions of footballs governing bodies.

"Let me reassure the fans that we will not be found wanting in this situation."

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Celtic manager Neil Lennon reacts on February 27, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
CCeltic550095306593
2RangersRangers531187325585
3Hearts513154421268
4Kilmarnock51224644256
5St Mirren51134652-647
6Dundee50144968-1942
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen54104852-448
2Hibernian52125259-746
3Motherwell52035659-343
4St Johnstone51132954-2535
5Ross County51223867-2935
RLivingston52122970-4125
 
First Phase
CCeltic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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