Lennon dismisses title play-off suggestion

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE:CELTIC MANAGER Neil Lennon yesterday rubbished proposals for a Premier League title play-off as "absolutely ludicrous".

Lennon and Old Firm rival Walter Smith have both dismissed an idea put forward by Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson for the top four teams in the SPL to contest a title decider at the end of the regular season.

Thompson mooted the plan after being unconvinced by official SPL plans to move to a 10-team top division with a play-off supplementing one automatic promotion place.

The Tannadice chairman believes the plan would add income and excitement to a league which has not been won by an team outside the Old Firm since Aberdeen triumphed in 1985. "I don't think it's fair at all, I think it's absolutely ludicrous," said Lennon. "I saw the headlines today and I didn't even bother reading them because I just think it's a piece of nonsense. I've been here 10 years and if you look at the gap between the top team and the third and fourth-placed team, the gap is always quite big.

"So basically you're saying your season comes down to two or three games at the end of the season? Absolute rubbish."

Lennon was only slightly more amenable to suggestions for a play-off for European places outside the top two slots.

"I think that might create a bit of an interest but certainly for the championship, absolute no-no," he said. "And I don't know how that would affect the coefficient, there would be a possibility you don't have the three most consistent teams going into Europe. I don't think that would improve the coefficient. From my point of view it's one of the more silly ideas I've heard in recent weeks."

Smith also gave short shrift to the idea, which could be tabled when all 12 clubs meet to discuss reform plans on January 4th. "Probably, when we have a lot of games, people think about the games," said the Rangers manager. "When there are no games, they start to conjure up different aspects. From memory, I think they tried it in Holland on one occasion. It was one occasion and then they got rid of it."

Heavy snowfall has caused tonight's league match between Dundee United and Rangers at Tannadice to be postponed, but Celtic's home clash against Kilmarnock goes ahead.

James Forrest (ankle) is definitely in contention while Scott Brown (foot), Beram Kayal (hernia) and Emilio Izaguirre (thigh) are also closing in on a return. Shaun Maloney (ankle) and Glenn Loovens (knee) are out, but Georgios Samaras (Achilles) and Gary Hooper (illness) should overcome concerns.

Celtic have confirmed that South Korea pair Cha Du-ri and Ki Sung-yueng will miss the Old Firm game on January 2th because of international commitments. They will fly home to prepare for the Asian Cup after Celtic's clash against St Johnstone on Sunday.