HELPING HAND IN EURO QUEST

SPFL to allow league postponements

- By Fraser Clarke

THE SPFL have ripped up their rules and given Scottish clubs a boost in their bid to reach the European big time.

League chiefs yesterday opted to allow top-flight sides who qualify for UEFA competition the option to postpone fixtures in the Premiership.

Celtic face a Champions League play-off in August, while Rangers will be looking at a tricky run of qualifiers to seal their place in Europe unless they defy odds to win this year's Europa League.

Hibernian and Aberdeen are also involved in the fight to secure European football for next season, with any teams involved in play-off fixtures now having the chance to postpone their matchday three fixtures in next season's Premiership calendar to focus on securing a money-spinning spot in Europe.