Rangers hero Kris Boyd has rejected “moaning and complaining” about post-split fixtures, finding rare agreement with Celtic pundit Chris Sutton as they countered former Hearts striker Steven Naismith’s concerns.
With three points separating the title contenders, Derek McInnes’ side face three away games including a final day trip to Celtic Park. Rangers must travel to Tynecastle and Parkhead, while Celtic host both rivals during the run-in.
Speaking on The Warm Up podcast, Sutton dismissed controversy around the SPFL’s decisions. “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 offered a different perspective, suggesting timing and sequence would prove significant. “On the split, I do think it has its 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. I think there will be twists and turns in it. 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.”
Boyd interrupted with a dismissive response. “Wow, Sutty, 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.”
Sutton reinforced this position, challenging critics to propose alternatives. “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.”
Naismith maintained that scheduling pressure would influence outcomes, noting that teams playing first and winning place significant pressure on followers. However, Boyd and Sutton remained unmoved, suggesting that if players allow fixture arrangements to affect their mentality, that represents the real problem rather than the schedule itself.