Source: FOOTYMAD
Hamilton Cry Foul
Hamilton don't fancy playing the Buddies for the third time away from home. Hamilton are the club to complain about how their season will end following the publication of the post-split fixtures in the SPL which threw up more anomalies. Accies have been scheduled to play relegation rivals St Mirren for a third time away from home after the normal criteria of trying to ensure an even share of home and away games with the fewest venue switches have been followed by the SPL. Kilmarnock's surprise top-six finish, along with Hibs disappointing season, meant that the SPL fixture predictions were going to fall short of perfection, but only four switches were required. Rangers will play Dundee United for a third time at home while Celtic will face a third trip to Kilmarnock and Motherwell play Hearts at Tynecastle for the second time in three weeks. But it is bottom club Hamilton's third trip to face nearest rivals St Mirren, who sit 12 points ahead, that drew the sharpest comments. Accies secretary Scott Struthers said: "The club are most disappointed to be asked to visit St Mirren, our rivals for relegation this season, three times away from home, and given the current points scenario, that is potentially a deciding and crucial game for the two clubs. It is bizarre that we are being sent to our only rivals for a third visit. This is not an ideal situation and we shall seek clarification from the SPL on this." SPL secretary Iain Blair responded: "We try to minimise the disruption so look to switch the fewest number of matches to achieve a 19 home/19 away balance. We also try to ensure there is no reversal of any of the derby matches. And we also look at what has happened in recent years. This season, for example, Dundee United are losing a home game against Rangers but last season Dundee United gained an Old Firm game at the expense of Motherwell." Rangers will finish their season at Rugby Park while Celtic face Motherwell at Parkhead on 15 May. Celtic, who hold a two-point lead over Rangers, play the day after their rivals on each occasion between the Old Firm game on 24 April and the final day, with no more Saturday games to come.
