Source: FOOTYMAD
SPL Working For National Interest
The club v country debate may be lessened this season The fixtures for the new SPL season were drawn up taking into account Scotland's bid to qualify for EURO2012. September and October will see Scotland play four vital games as they aim to secure second spot behind Spain in their qualifying group and earn a place in the play-offs. The SPL fixtures were published on Friday and the SPL ensured there would be no clash between the international games and Old Firm derbies. SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "It would be terrific if Craig Levein was able to lead Scotland to the 2012 European Championship in Poland and Ukraine. A big issue in the past has been the scheduling of the Old Firm derby and hopefully our colleagues along the corridor will appreciate that none fall either side of Scotland matches." Blair knows all too well the difficulties of keeping all member teams happy when compiling the fixture list but believes improvements have been made on the previous fixture list. He said: "It's fair to say there is no such thing as a perfect fixture list but our aim is to compile the best and most balanced schedule across all clubs and I feel we have been able to improve on a number of areas from last season." The SPL had already confirmed that the traditional New Year Old Firm derby would be played earlier in December this season following advice from police and the Scottish Government. Authorities want to reduce the possibility of trouble surrounding the fixture and Celtic and Rangers fans will have to settle for a midweek, post-Christmas meeting on December 28 instead. Blair said: "The bulk of the derby matches - including Dundee United v Aberdeen and Hibernian v Hearts - have been scheduled for January 2.Following the setting up of the Scottish Government's Joint Action Group, there was a real pressure to reschedule Old Firm derbies away from weekends and bank holidays. We felt it was important for us to respond positively to the JAG process. Following consultation with the police, Government and other members of the JAG, we have therefore agreed to schedule the second Old Firm match to a date that reduces the challenges associated with such games being played on bank holidays."
