Opinion: Two seasons into one might just go

What is the solution to the crisis the corona virus has
placed Scottish football in? Is there is a solution? Presently, no one knows.

No one wants to scrap season 2019/20 and render it null and
void. Not only is that unfair but it seriously damages the integrity of the
SPFL. Hearts say they may consider legal action if they are demoted on the basis
of being four points adrift at the foot of the table with still eight games
left to play. So do we resume the current season when this crisis is over? That
seems the best option. The main question no one really knows the answer to is
when.

There is a body of opinion that suggests the corona crisis
may have peaked in four months. If so – and I appreciate it’s a big if – how
about this for a suggestion?

Start season 2020/21 in August with the teams in the same league
placings they are in now but carry over the points for each club attained in
season 2019/20.

Add the right remaining league games from this season to
2020/21 making the new season 46 league games in the Premiership and 44 games
in Championship, League One and League Two. This way Celtic will retain their 13-point
lead at the top of the Premiership, Hearts will still be rooted at the bottom
of the table and all the other implications for promotion and relegation throughout
the leagues remain unchanged. If Celtic go on to win the league title in the
spring of 2021 they will still be able to claim nine-in-a-row league titles.
And if Hearts continue to play as they have for most of this season they will
likely stay bottom (although I concede this idea would give them a greater
chance of survival)

As a pre-cursor to the league campaign resuming, the new
season of 2019/2020/21 could commence with the semi-finals and final of the
William Hill Scottish Cup. The Scottish League Cup – without a sponsor for next
season I believe – could be shelved just for one season. I realise the financial
implications this may cause for the country’s smaller clubs such as Edinburgh City,
– but these are rather desperate times.

Now I know this is far from an ideal solution. It won’t just
be Celtic who will feel hard done by. Clubs such as Dundee United and Cove
Rangers, so far ahead at the top of their respective leagues, will surely feel aggrieved.
And 46 games for Scotland’s top flight clubs is a heck of a lot of football to
cram into nine months, particularly when you consider the European Championship
finals are almost certain to be put back until the summer of 2021. There’s also
the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League (which doesn’t affect Scots
clubs) and the Europa League (which does albeit tenuously) Any mid-season break
would need to be forgotten about.

But this scenario is unprecedented in modern times. Clubs
having to play twice a week every week for a season without a break will be
something players will just have to cope with. As is the sacrifice of giving up
on what has been a successful season up until now.

If the corona virus continues for longer than four months
then clubs would have to give serious consideration to playing each other twice
next season rather than four times – with the financial implications that
will bring too.

There is presently a far greater threat to everyone’s health.
Sacrifices have to be made which are far greater than anything that happens on
a football field. Merging two seasons into one wouldn’t be that drastic – would
it?