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Celtic’s side of the post-split fixture schedule has certainly rattled a few cages across Scottish football.
Whilst Derek McInnes openly stated that he is happy to play Celtic in a ‘car park’ for their last-day showdown, the Hearts boss also commented on the timing of the Jambos games, including playing after Martin O’Neill’s side.
But Peter Grant has quickly stepped in to shut down the sudden complaints stemming from the Hearts and Rangers camps.
The Celtic hero was quick to highlight the glaring hypocrisy, noting that rivals were perfectly happy with the setup when the champions of Scotland were constantly forced to play catch-up on Sundays earlier in the campaign because they were in Europe.
“I hear Derek (McInnes) is complaining about the time difference,” said Grant. “Well, a couple of weeks ago, he wasn’t when I was saying that Celtic were always playing last.
“Now, all of a sudden, it’s a problem playing last. It wasn’t a problem a few weeks ago when they were sitting top of the league and clear. So, you can’t have your cake and eat it.”
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Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty ImagesPeter Grant dismisses cries over post-split fixtures
Don’t get it twisted, playing first is always better, and Grant understands that more than anybody else because he endured that during his career.
Yes, there is an advantage to Celtic, and everyone would want to be in that situation, but once again, where was all this noise weeks ago and months ago?
Added to that, there have also been complaints, not from McInnes himself, but from Hearts pundits, that they have to play at Celtic Park on the final day of the campaign.
Once again, Grant was on hand to shut down any grand SPFL conspiracy regarding the final day, as he pointed out the simple logistical reality on Go Radio.
“I hear Derek is complaining about the time difference,” said Grant. “Well, a couple of weeks ago, he wasn’t when I was saying that Celtic were always playing last.
“Now, all of a sudden, it’s a problem playing last. It wasn’t a problem a few weeks ago when they were sitting top of the league and clear.
“So, you can’t have your cake and eat it. That’s why I thought there is an advantage if you are first and you win, because you are sitting in the dressing room with the three points in the bag. That’s why I am glad Celtic have got an opportunity to play before everybody else.
“Take it back a few weeks. This wasn’t seemingly an issue for Rangers or Hearts. They were always playing on the Saturday before Celtic, and they never complained when Celtic had to play every Sunday.
“That’s the point I am going on about. They can’t forget that as quickly as they have. That’s why I am delighted to see it.
“At that time, there was no issue. Now there is an issue. You are 100% right. How can the fixtures go any other way? You were always playing Rangers in the middle one.
“So, where were you going to play Hearts. Hearts are playing Hibs as well, you have to make sure that’s not the last one. You can’t have Celtic and Rangers as the last one.”
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