by Stuart Crowther

Date: 24th May 2002

Fixture chaos unless the talking starts soon Three weeks from fixtures lists being published but no sign of peace in our time THE WORLD CUP is occupying most minds right now, but a few heads will need to get together soon if Scotland is to have any sort of harmonious league to play in next season.  In just three weeks time the Scottish Premier League must publish a fixtures list for the 2002/03 season, and yet right at this moment there are no real signs of the 12 member clubs getting together and salvaging something out of the chaos. Laying aside their differences is a must-do.  Rangers and Celtic must surely by now accept that they blew it; their bluff was called, the ten clubs have demonstrated that they will not be bullied under any circumstances, and the various football authorities around Europe and the World have given the Old Firm no encouragement whatsoever to believe that their latest claims to move before the start of next season are anything other that hot air.  So at some point over the next few days, the Old Firm representatives are going to have to come down from their high perch and talk to what their fans at least refer to as the 'diddy' teams, and talk about the league structure for next season. While Rangers club secretary Campbell Ogilivie today being touted as the 'peace broker' between the Old Firm and the Ten, no firm date and time has been set for a meeting of all twelve SPL clubs.  When it is set, as it surely must be, it will be the first time all twelve have sat around the same table since that infamous day when the Old Firm pulled the plug on SPL-TV and started a chain of events that has threatened to rip Scottish football apart.  Perhaps the most surprising aspect, for the Old Firm at least, has been the unity among not just all other clubs in Scotland, but the fans of these clubs who have readily accepted, indeed embraced, the idea of lesser quality in exchange for a Rangers and Celtic-free league structure.  That has surely fired a broadside at the Old Firm which they must pay heed to, the fact is the majority in the game here would welcome their demise. Will he be allowed to keep Caldwell around? But the fact remains the only league the Old Firm will be playing in is the SPL, for the next year or two at least.  Next season will see the reintroduction of the mid-season break, removed last term to allow for an early end to the season with the World Cup on the horizon.  In the event for most the season ended in January in any case, but in 2002/03 clubs can once again expect a 3-week gap in January 2003, although it is expected that few will be taking sunshine breaks to the likes of Trinidad with cash so tight at all clubs.  The main concern over the break will again be the dates for the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup.  In the past, SPL clubs have returned 'cold' to play in the cup, and that has been blamed on so many making an early exit at the hands of SFL clubs who have played throughout the month. On a slightly less controversial note for the clubs at least will be who can publish any fixture list when it is eventually agreed.  Last season the SPL introduced high charges for newspapers and web sites to publish 'their' fixtures, a price indeed so high that most unofficial web sites could simply not afford the price being asked (and one or two newspapers indeed refusing to pay up).  The SPL needs friends and in particular fans, charging a fans web site thousands of pounds for publishing fixtures that should be in the public domain is not the way to go about making friends! Meanwhile Garry O'Connor and Gary Caldwell will return from  Scotland's Far-East tour this weekend for a well-earned break.  Caldwell is expected to reveal soon just what his own plans will be for next season, an offer is on the table from Newcastle United and the player himself has expressed a wish that should he accept that three-year deal, then he may be released to play for Hibs for the first year.  Much will depend on the position Hibs take on this, with massive cuts being undertaken at the club.  Bobby Williamson has already lost Craig Brewster to Dunfermline, while there are concerns that Hibs are about to clear out all Under-21 players who are not already signed up on long-term contracts.  Hibs managing director Rod Petrie is refusing to talk of any deals until the beginning of July, with talks also expected with senior players at the club about changes to their current contracts.