COMMENT: SPFL stood up to the test on weekend one

The Sports Editor enjoyed the Sky Sports coverage of the SPFL Premiership at the weekend.
David Oliver
By David Oliver
Published 6th Aug 2020, 12:30 BST
Updated 6th Aug 2020, 14:27 BST
Falkirk Herald Sports Editor, David OliverFalkirk Herald Sports Editor, David Oliver
Falkirk Herald Sports Editor, David Oliver

The SPFL season is underway, and do you know what? For all the failings of football in this country it stood up pretty well.

It was the first time in a weekend since lockdown in March I have sat through two games in their entirety (and managed to with a one-year-old at my feet/shoulders/ear/remote) plus a highlights package. It’s a lot longer since that luxury was enjoyed within the space of two days, let me tell you.

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Indeed I even managed to work it with a live Saturday blog for our sister title, The Scotsman

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 01: Andrew Considine of Aberdeen is shown a red card by referee Bobby Madden after fouling Scott Arfield of Rangers FC who goes down to the floor during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie Stadium on August 01, 2020 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/Pool via Getty Images)ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 01: Andrew Considine of Aberdeen is shown a red card by referee Bobby Madden after fouling Scott Arfield of Rangers FC who goes down to the floor during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie Stadium on August 01, 2020 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/Pool via Getty Images)
ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 01: Andrew Considine of Aberdeen is shown a red card by referee Bobby Madden after fouling Scott Arfield of Rangers FC who goes down to the floor during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie Stadium on August 01, 2020 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/Pool via Getty Images)

Football’s return, first in Germany and the England and elsewhere was welcomed back but then fell flat. With no fans and artificial crowd noise it wasn’t the same.

The spectacle became a focus on the product (sorry Darren Fletcher).

Scotland had the same crowd restrictions but the games stood up to the interest. Without fans this is football in its purest form.

No distractions, 11 v 11, Mano-el-Mano.

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This season will be a test of football ability, no more, no less. Bottling it in front of a big crowd, or being boosted by the backing won’t come into it. No VAR and no – or at least less – home advantage.

This will simply be about the games and the best coming out on top, and what we were served on Saturday and Sunday showed our games ARE good. Indeed they held my attention far better than that English play-off final did this week.

Now not only am I looking forward to October and the Betfred Cup and league kick-off, I’m simply looking forward to the weekend and Scottish football all over again.

Well played.


And another thing...
For whatever reason last week I omitted to give my annual predictions for the leagues. So, nevertheless here’s a copy of my Premiership table, in order from the group chat last Friday (honest!)
Top Six: Rangers, Celtic, Hibs, Motherwell, Aberdeen, St Mirren.
Bottom Six: Livi, Dundee Utd, Killie, St Johnstone, Hamilton, Ross County

Don’t @ me, as they say.

Related topics:SPFLSky SportsSPFL PremiershipVARScotland

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