The SPFL’s announcement to allow clubs like Rangers and Celtic the option to apply for fixture postponements ahead of UEFA playoff rounds has undoubtedly stirred the pot in Scottish football. This new rule, which gives Scottish teams a better chance at progressing in European competitions by allowing them to request a postponement of domestic league fixtures to better prepare for crucial European encounters, has quickly become a hot topic. While the rule is designed to aid clubs’ efforts in international football, it has raised significant eyebrows, particularly among Rangers fans, who feel that the timing of this announcement is more than just coincidental and that it heavily favors Celtic.

The premise behind the new rule is simple enough: Scottish clubs involved in European playoffs, such as the Champions League qualifiers, can request a postponement of domestic matches to give their players more time to rest and prepare. This move mirrors what some other European football associations, most notably in the Netherlands, have done to assist their clubs in improving their chances of success in European qualification. The Dutch FA, for example, has allowed clubs to enjoy a weekend off between important European qualifiers, acknowledging the taxing nature of playing in multiple competitions and the value of having a proper break to prepare tactically and physically.

Rangers, having spent the past couple of seasons battling through the Champions League qualifiers, understand better than most how demanding these contests can be. In the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns, Rangers faced a tough challenge in the Champions League playoff rounds, particularly their encounters with PSV Eindhoven. These matches were not only physically exhausting but also required significant mental fortitude, as they carried the pressure of qualification into Europe’s elite competition. The chance to have a domestic fixture postponed could have been a game-changer for them during those intense periods, providing them with the necessary time to prepare and recover properly.

However, the timing of the SPFL’s decision has not been lost on Rangers fans. In a season where Celtic will no longer benefit from Rangers’ European success in terms of automatic Champions League qualification, the timing of this announcement has sparked concerns of favoritism. For the past three seasons, Celtic has been able to rely on the points gained by Rangers through their strong performances in European competitions to secure a spot in the Champions League group stages without needing to play through the qualification rounds. But with Rangers no longer the primary contributor to Scotland’s UEFA coefficient, Celtic will now be required to face the full burden of Champions League qualifying, starting with the Champions Path playoffs.

In this context, the announcement that clubs can apply for fixture postponements when they reach the playoff rounds of UEFA competitions feels, to some Rangers fans, like it’s tailored specifically to help Celtic. The rule, which takes effect just as Celtic faces the prospect of navigating the qualifiers themselves, seems particularly timely. For a club like Celtic that has historically benefited from Rangers’ performances, this shift in dynamics has led to an uncomfortable feeling of inequity for many at Ibrox.

The Rangers fanbase has not been shy in expressing their frustrations. Some fans took to social media, questioning why such a rule wasn’t implemented when Rangers were in similar situations in previous years. One fan, for example, pointed out the lack of assistance Rangers received during their runs to the UEFA Cup Final in 2008 and the Europa League Final in 2022. Their exasperation is understandable. Rangers endured grueling schedules with no special allowances to ease the pressure, yet now, when Celtic is in need of a helping hand, the SPFL steps in with a rule that could ease their path through the qualifiers.

Other fans have also pointed to specific moments in recent history that left them feeling unsupported, such as the 2018 trip to Ufa in Russia, where Rangers had to endure an incredibly long journey, only to come back and play at Celtic Park shortly thereafter. These experiences, where Rangers were forced to balance domestic football with the demands of European competition, have left many fans wondering why they were not afforded the same privileges that Celtic could now potentially enjoy.

The crux of the issue for many Rangers fans seems to lie in the timing of the rule’s implementation. They’re asking, “Why now? Why wasn’t this available in the past when Rangers were battling in Europe?” This question speaks to a deeper frustration about the perceived imbalance in how the two clubs are treated in the domestic and European arenas. For Rangers supporters, the new rule is seen not just as a measure to help clubs with European commitments, but as a targeted benefit for Celtic, who now face the same qualifying hurdles that Rangers have faced for years.

This situation has intensified the already heated rivalry between Celtic and Rangers, with Celtic’s financial advantage in European football growing even more pronounced. Celtic has often been the beneficiary of Rangers’ performances in Europe, with their automatic Champions League qualification a direct result of the coefficient points earned by their Old Firm rivals. But now, with both clubs potentially vying for the same Champions League spots, the balance of power could shift. If both teams make it to the Champions League playoff rounds, the ability to apply for fixture postponements could make a significant difference in their preparation, and with Celtic now facing the same qualifying obstacles, the timing of this rule could have a far-reaching impact.

While Celtic supporters will no doubt welcome the flexibility the new rule provides, the Rangers fanbase remains skeptical and upset. The financial stakes for both clubs in terms of Champions League qualification are enormous, with Celtic’s recent European earnings far outpacing those of Rangers. In the 2024/25 season alone, Celtic earned over £19.5 million more than Rangers in European competition, a stark illustration of the financial difference between securing a place in Europe’s top competition versus dropping into the Europa League. The financial windfall that comes with Champions League football is significant, not just in terms of prize money but also in terms of sponsorship, ticket sales, and global brand exposure.

This financial disparity only exacerbates the frustration felt by Rangers supporters, who see the new rule as another example of Celtic benefiting from favorable conditions, both domestically and internationally. For Rangers, the ability to apply for fixture postponements could level the playing field to some extent, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll be afforded the same advantages in the future. With both clubs now facing the prospect of European qualification, the real test will be how the rule is applied, and whether it is used to help both clubs equally or whether it will be seen as further favoring Celtic.

Ultimately, the decision to introduce this rule marks a new chapter in the ongoing rivalry between Celtic and Rangers. The rule could certainly help both clubs in the context of European qualifiers, but it will inevitably continue to fuel debate over fairness, timing, and favoritism. While Celtic may be poised to benefit immediately, the long-term effects of the rule will depend on how both clubs perform in European competition and whether the SPFL continues to make adjustments that seem to favor one club over the other. The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers will always be intense, and this latest development only adds another layer of complexity to an already fiercely contested battle both on and off the pitch.