Rangers boss Steven Gerrard insists games must be played after 'null and void' scenario raised with SPFL chief Neil Doncaster

Steven Gerrard insists the SPFL campaign must be completed – despite Neil Doncaster ‘refusing to rule out’ declaring the season null and void.

The SPFL chief executive was quoted in a national newspaper interview saying he has “never ruled out anything. It’s up to the members to rule things in or out,” when asked about wiping the season in the event of another enforced shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But Rangers manager Gerrard, whose side holds a 21-point advantage at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, says his opinion has not changed from a year ago and that games should be played to a conclusion.

“My opinion on this is exactly the same as it was in March and April. I think for football’s sake and the sake of competition I think everything has to try to be finished in the right way,” the Rangers manager told Sky Sports. “That's not because of where we are sitting now where we are in terms of the competition this year - my opinion was exactly the same in March and April.

Steven Gerrard says the fixture list should be completed (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“That's what I want, that's what I hope and that opinion will never change as long as I am involved in the game.”

Gerrard said he believed the SPFL chief was putting "every possibility and option on the table” and in his interview Neil Doncaster said “at the moment there is no reason to believe the Premiership and Championship won’t be completed.” But he also admitted to the Daily Record: “No one has a crystal ball.

“If the games can’t be completed and we end up where we were in March 2020 then clearly it’s going to be a very difficult situation.

"We certainly hope we will complete 100 per cent of the fixtures in all four divisions this season. In the event the games couldn’t be played, then once again the members might have a decision to make

Neil Doncaster. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images).

“I’ve never ruled out anything. It’s up to the members to rule things in or out.

“The consequences of a void season are much more dramatic, partly because of the commercial contracts which underpin the game but at the moment there is no reason to believe the Premiership and Championship won’t be completed.”

A message from the Editor:Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.