Coronavirus: Celtic captain Scott Brown says season must finish 'as it is'

Image source, SNS

Image caption, Celtic captain Scott Brown, left, says the safety of fans is paramount
  • Author, Jonathan Sutherland & Tyrone Smith
  • Role, 91热爆 Scotland

The Scottish football season should finish "as it is" if it has to end prematurely because of coronavirus, says Celtic captain Scott Brown.

Celtic are 13 points clear of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, with the sides meeting at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Scottish government is advising that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled from next week.

"If it ends, it stays as it is. But the main thing is everyone is okay, they're all safe," said Brown.

"We still obviously want to play football but we will just take it day by day and listen to what the SFA are saying. It's a serious situation we are all in and we want the best for everyone.

"I don't know what is going to happen. It seems to get worse day by day."

Celtic are chasing a ninth league title and fourth domestic treble in a row, having already won the League Cup this term and with a Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen to come on 11 April.

As it stands, the match against Rangers - who have a game in hand - is expected to go ahead as planned.

"We are in a good position but we need to focus on this game on Sunday," said the midfielder.

"We obviously want this league to be finished, the cups to be finished as well. Nobody wants to see them stopping. We will take it game by game and here's hoping we can get through the season."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes said, given the choice, he would prefer to finish the season behind closed doors than have it postponed.

His side face Motherwell on Friday as they look to overtake the Fir Park side in third place in the top flight.

"I would prefer the fixtures to get played and I think supporters would, they have paid their money and they want to see the team play," McInnes said.

"There are a lot of meaningful fixtures, and a lot to be decided over the next while. Whether TV companies become involved, or whether it is through our own channel, to stream it so supporters get to see it.

"I would rather the season was completed, but I wouldn't really want supporters to be denied the chance to see the games, and if we can't get them live hopefully we can find ways to try the next best thing."