Rangers’ SPFL Fixture U-turn Creates Pre-Derby Drama
GLASGOW – In a surprise move that has sent ripples throughout Scottish football, the SPFL has confirmed that Rangers have withdrawn their request to postpone their Premiership clash against St Mirren, setting the stage for a dramatic build-up to the season’s first Old Firm derby. The decision, which represents a complete U-turn on the club’s initial intentions, has significant implications for player availability and the early momentum of the title race.
Under a new SPFL rule for the current season, clubs involved in the play-off rounds of European competitions have the option to postpone their intervening domestic league fixture. Rangers, having reached the Champions League play-off round, had originally intended to exercise this right to focus on their two-legged tie. However, following discussions with the league and St Mirren, the Ibrox club has now confirmed that the match will go ahead as originally planned on Sunday, August 24.
This reversal is widely seen as a direct response to the early-season form of their rivals. After two league matches, Rangers have already dropped four points, leaving them playing catch-up to Celtic, who have started the season with two wins from two. Had Rangers postponed their fixture against St Mirren and Celtic gone on to beat Livingston as expected, the gap at the top of the table would have stretched to a potentially daunting seven points before the derby at Ibrox on August 31. By reinstating the St Mirren match, Rangers have the opportunity to close that gap and build some much-needed momentum before the first Old Firm clash of the campaign.
The decision also has a crucial impact on player availability for the Celtic match. Rangers defender Nasser Djiga, who was sent off in a previous match, will now serve his one-match ban against St Mirren. This means he will be available for selection for the highly anticipated derby at the end of the month, a major boost for Rangers manager Russell Martin. The alternative of postponing the game would have seen Djiga suspended for the Old Firm clash, as the ban would have carried over to the next domestic fixture.
Celtic, meanwhile, had already made their intentions clear by choosing not to postpone their own league match against Livingston, despite also being involved in a Champions League play-off. This left the door open for them to potentially build a significant lead over their rivals, a factor that undoubtedly influenced Rangers’ change of heart.
With the St Mirren fixture now back on, the pressure is firmly on Rangers to deliver a result. The match, sandwiched between two high-stakes European ties, will test the depth and resilience of their squad. For Celtic, the task remains simple: continue to win and make Rangers pay for their early slip-ups. This SPFL U-turn has not only added an extra layer of intrigue to the title race but has also created a high-pressure scenario for Rangers ahead of a crucial period of both domestic and European foo
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