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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Chris Doyle

The Rangers and Celtic coronavirus scenarios as title dilemma arises

After Scottish football was placed in lockdown there was only one question Celtic and Rangers fans were concerned with.

Who wins the title?

The outbreak of coronavirus resulted in the SPFL and SFA making the decision to suspend this weekend's games, including Sunday's Old Firm derby, until further notice.

The rest of the season is now up in the air with the real possibility the season might not be finished.

The Hoops are comfortably ahead of their rivals with a 13 point lead at the top of the table.

But there are various scenarios the governing bodies could opt for depending how COVID-19 plays out in the next few weeks.

(SNS Group)

Option 1 - Extend the season

This is the most realistic option in all honesty and one everyone is hoping for.

Can you imagine the uproar if they called it a day before the conclusion of the season?

Even if Celtic look likely to go on to win their ninth successive league crown, it's still mathmatically possible for Steven Gerrard's men to bridge the gap.

Extending the season into the summer would be feasible if the reports are true that UEFA are putting Euro 2020 back a year.

That would mean a delay to the start of next season, but that would be managable if the winter break was scrapped.

Or it's possible the SPFL could just get rid of the split at the end of the season to reduce the number of games that need to be played.

In any case, next season might need to be shortened for all clubs at all levels if they decide to play out this term.

This scenario all depends on the development of the coronavirus of course. If the lockdown goes on longer than expected, it might be impossible to finish this season and still fit in next year's.

(Imago/PA Images)

Option 2 - Finish the season as things stand

If the season finished as things stand, Celtic would be handed the title and Rangers would be the runners-up.

This is the option Neil Lennon has unsuprisingly backed if the season is cut short.

He said: "We’d be the champions and rightly so. We’re over 30 games into the season, they’re not going to take that away from us."

The Ibrox side would clearly be unhappy with this proposal as they wouldn't even get a chance to catch their rivals.

If the situation surrounding COVID-19 doesn't improve then extending the current season just isn't viable and this would be more likely than just voiding the campaign.

Option 3 - Null and void

This would be the most controversial choice, especially with the green side of Glasgow.

The season would essentially be a mulligan and thatt would be pretty harsh, especially since the year is almost done and dusted.

But it cannot be ruled out and hinges on the how long the pandemic rumbles on.

Unfortunately Scottish football just needs to take the 'wait and see' approach and the next week or so will be telling in how the rest season will play out.

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