‘Celtic will be champions and Hearts will get relegated’ says Roger Mitchell

Roger Mitchell was the Scottish Premier League's first chief executive. Picture: Roddy Scott/SNS

Former SPL chief executive says completing the season is ‘total fantasy’

Former Scottish Premier League chief executive Roger Mitchell does not believe the domestic leagues in Scotland will be able to conclude their seasons and, as a result, he expects Celtic to be crowned top-flight champions and Hearts to be relegated.

All football in Scotland has been suspended until at least the end of April because of the coronavirus crisis. Speaking to The Scotsman from his home in Italy, where the effects of the virus have hit particularly
hard, Mitchell says that the idea of games starting up again any time soon is “total fantasy”.

Asked what should happen in Scotland in terms of titles being won and teams being relegated if the suspension remains in place long-term, he said: “That’s a very big question and just about every day I would have a different answer.

“So here’s where I think we are today: Uefa want the domestic leagues restarted by the end of April but I know a lot of football people around Europe and that’s total fantasy. The thing is, the leagues know this, so we are in this phase where everyone is pretending there will be a finish.

“What my friends are saying to me is that at some point Uefa or the national governments will instruct the football bodies to call an end to 2019-20. This will be done. The season will not be null and void. Promotion and relegation will be decided. There’s formula for ascertaining likely points totals but I don’t think in Scotland this will change anything: Celtic will be champions and Hearts will be down.”

Mitchell, now a sports investor and advisor based in Lake Como, also does not think that Hearts will take the SPFL to court if that scenario does play out. Owner Ann Budge, who announced 50 per cent staff wage cuts last week, has already insisted she would “have to take legal action” if the Gorgie side were relegated without playing all 38 games of the campaign.

“I don’t think Hearts will,” he added. “I think Hearts have accepted the situation, which is why they’re making these cutbacks. And I think Rangers have accepted it too, although they won’t actually say this. My understanding is that Scottish football has pulled together
and realised this is a black swan moment, a total crisis, and that it’s time decisions were made with clear heads and not passionate hearts.”