Old Firm fixtures puzzle St Mirren boss

Nov 17 2008

SAINTS boss Gus MacPherson has called on SPL beaks to explain why his men have been forced to play back-to-back fixtures against the Old Firm.

The Buddies gaffer watched his men go down fighting at Ibrox on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 in Glasgow’s South Side.

They will now entertain Celtic this coming weekend which means the Love Street outfit will have faced the Glasgow giants four times in 15 games this term.

Kilmarnock and Motherwell have also registered their displeasure at finding themselves in a similar situation this season and MacPherson isn’t sure the situation has come about by chance.

The SPL fixtures are thought to be randomly generated by a computer but the St Mirren manager, above, has demanded an answer from the league’s hierarchy.

He said: “We need an explanation as there’s no logic to it at this stage. “So many clubs are having to play them back-to-back while Falkirk for example played Rangers on the opening day of the season and the return fixture isn’t until January 17.”

MacPherson watched his men battle valiantly at Ibrox and when Argentinian star Franco Miranda slotted home with nine minutes left to end Saints’ 490-minute goal drought when a shock point looked on the cards.

However, the Love Street chief admitted he feared his side were in for a hammering after early goals from Kris Boyd and Steven Davis seemed to put Gers on easy street.

MacPherson added: “I had visions of a heavy scoreline but it’s credit to the players and
their professional pride that it didn’t happen and that pride is the most important characteristic you can have in football.”