This doesn't surprise me at all. Something Neil McCann said last week on Sportsound resonated with me - Sky don't want these games for the football, they want them for the atmosphere.
Celtic and Rangers news: Old Firm games could be delayed until 2021 in shock SPFL calendar shuffle
NEXT season’s Old Firm games could ALL be played in 2021 as part of a shock plan to shuffle the Scottish football calendar.
SPFL chiefs are considering a host of changes as they consider how the new season will look after lockdown.
One of the proposals being discussed is to delay all four Premiership derbies between Celtic and Rangers until after the New Year to avoid playing them behind closed doors.
It’s understood the idea has the support of clubs.
And Sky TV, whose new £125million contract kicks in next season, would also rubber-stamp the move.
The hope is that by the time the Celtic v Rangers clashes come around in 2021, Government rules about large public gatherings could be relaxed.
The proposal is set to be raised again at meetings this week, after a final decision has been taken on Hearts’ league reconstruction plan.
It comes after SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell insisted it is "achievable" for Scottish football to get underway again in August.
He said: "We are working through a three-stage plan, similar to the approach the government has taken.
"It will start with a return to training, then a return to matches, then a return to spectators being allowed into stadiums at some point.
"There is a four-to-six week training schedule which the medical group are working through.
"And I think that it IS likely we will see football in August.
"We have seen it in countries across Europe, whether they are finishing league programmes, or some who are looking to start next season's programmes.
"I think it is definitely achievable. I think the plans we are putting in place are comprehensive but we need to give government comfort that we can do it in a manner which keeps the players, staff and everybody involved in the game safe but I am sure we can do that."
Celtic and Rangers news: Old Firm games could be delayed until 2021 in shock SPFL calendar shuffle
NEXT season’s Old Firm games could ALL be played in 2021 as part of a shock plan to shuffle the Scottish football calendar.
SPFL chiefs are considering a host of changes as they consider how the new season will look after lockdown.
One of the proposals being discussed is to delay all four Premiership derbies between Celtic and Rangers until after the New Year to avoid playing them behind closed doors.
It’s understood the idea has the support of clubs.
And Sky TV, whose new £125million contract kicks in next season, would also rubber-stamp the move.
The hope is that by the time the Celtic v Rangers clashes come around in 2021, Government rules about large public gatherings could be relaxed.
The proposal is set to be raised again at meetings this week, after a final decision has been taken on Hearts’ league reconstruction plan.
It comes after SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell insisted it is "achievable" for Scottish football to get underway again in August.
He said: "We are working through a three-stage plan, similar to the approach the government has taken.
"It will start with a return to training, then a return to matches, then a return to spectators being allowed into stadiums at some point.
"There is a four-to-six week training schedule which the medical group are working through.
"And I think that it IS likely we will see football in August.
"We have seen it in countries across Europe, whether they are finishing league programmes, or some who are looking to start next season's programmes.
"I think it is definitely achievable. I think the plans we are putting in place are comprehensive but we need to give government comfort that we can do it in a manner which keeps the players, staff and everybody involved in the game safe but I am sure we can do that."