The Scottish title race is set to go all the way this term with just three points separating the challengers
Kris Boyd
Rangers hero Kris Boyd has shut down “moaning and complaining” about Hearts’ post-split fixtures.
And he found a surprise ally in Celtic favourite and Sky Sports sparring partner Chris Sutton as they clamped former Hearts’ striker and boss Steven Naismith.
Derek McInnes faces three away games once the Scottish Premiership splits including a blockbuster final day trip to Glasgow’s East End to face Celtic.
With just three points separating the title contenders, Rangers face trips to Tynecastle and Celtic Park as two of their three post-split away games – while the Hoops host both rivals on home turf.
Speaking to The Warm Up podcast, Sutton played down any controversy over the SPFL’s calls: “I think it’s mostly as we all expected really, Celtic playing Hearts and Rangers at home. I don’t know any club that would really have a gripe.
“There are murmurings about Hearts but I don’t get that. Hearts knew they had to play Celtic away, if they go there and do that they will stand a fair chance of winning the league.”
Naismith took a different view: “On the split, I do think it has it’s advantages and disadvantages.
“Timing of the games, who you are playing and when, but i think for the three teams there is not somebody who is blowing teams away, especially when they take the lead as we have seen in recent fixtures.
“I think there will be twists and turns in it. I think Celtic having two at home out of the first three, Rangers and Hearts having two away out of the first three and when the kick-offs are will play a part.”
Smirking Boyd quickly cut in: “Wow, Sutty [Sutton], he sounds as if he has still got that Hearts head on. Moaning and complaining. Come on mate, everyone still has the same teams to play.”
The Hoops’ legend chimed in: “This is the thing, tell us the alternatives then Steven? All these people that are whinging about the fixtures, tell us the perfect scenario where everybody would be happy.
“Teams playing after other teams, that happens, it comes with the territory. If the Hearts players, or the Rangers players, or the Celtic players have a gripe in their heads after these fixtures have come out then that is going to be the problem.
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“How would you be if you were a Hearts player or a Rangers player and these fixtures came out? I don’t think anyone really cares.”
Naismith stood by his point – noting the difference in times of games across: “I don’t think when the fixtures came out anyone will be sitting with a big gripe, but I think it will have an impact.
“As we have seen in recent weeks, the team playing first – if you get the win – it puts so much pressure on the teams behind you.
“And the home advantage for all three teams is big, because going away from home none of the three have looked as comfortable or assured as in recent years.
“I think it will play a part. I don’t think it’s in terms of ‘we have got to play this team away and this team at home’ – it’s the timings of the games. It does add pressure.”