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Unhappy New Year
Thousands of Ulster football fans were last night left facing Old Firm misery when Celtic and Rangers postponed their crunch New Year clash.
The last minute decision to call off tomorrow's match as a mark of respect for tragic Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell was made about 48 hours before kick-off, leaving many local fans facing major disruption to their holiday travel plans.
The New Year Old Firm match is traditionally the biggest annual exodus of local football fans. Many will have already travelled to Scotland to enjoy the Hogmanay celebrations.
Ferry and some coach companies immediately refunded payments to many of the supporters clubs who planned to attend the match.
But people travelling by airline and those who booked accommodation may be out of pocket as a result of the postponement.
O'Donnell, 35, collapsed on the pitch during Saturday's match against Dundee United and died later in hospital.
Celtic requested the postponement because O'Donnell made 89 appearances for the club during five seasons with them.
Rangers boss Walter Smith backed the request and the Scottish Premier League agreed to the postponement. Two other games had already been postponed as a mark of respect.
Other Scottish managers and players agreed with the decision - as did many of the Northern Ireland-based supporters who had to cancel their plans at the last minute.
"Obviously I can understand why it's been done," said Sam Morton, of the Ballymena Legends Loyal Rangers Supporters Club.
"But I felt the announcement was left very, very late in the day. No sooner had I finalised our travel arrangements for 22 people than the announcement was made."
Mr Morton said staff from P&O Ferries had been due to finish work at lunchtime yesterday but returned to work to ensure that refunds were made. Stena Line also agreed to refund fares for travelling supporters.
A Celtic supporters' organiser, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is only fair and proper.
"Phil O'Donnell was fantastic in his day, but this does put football into perspective."
The game is the third SPL fixture scheduled for January 2 to be called off.
Motherwell's game against Hibernian was called off on Saturday night in the hours after O'Donnell lost his life following his on-field collapse.
And Gretna's game against St Mirren was postponed yesterday as it was due to take place at Fir Park, Motherwell's ground, which has become a shrine to the memory of the popular 35-year-old.
Celtic's visit to Motherwell on Sunday was also called off yesterday.
Celtic skipper Stephen McManus spoke out in favour of the postponement after visiting Fir Park to pay his respects to his friend and fellow professional.
Mr McManus said: "Having met this morning as a group for the first time since Phil's death, the Celtic team, management and backroom staff feel very strongly that our match on Wednesday should be postponed as a mark of our sincere respect for Phil O'Donnell, a great player and a great man.
"A number of our squad have very close connections to Phil's family and feel it would be inappropriate to proceed with this match at such a time, following such a tragic event.
"We understand sincerely the inconvenience and frustration a postponement would cause supporters of both teams, particularly those who travel long distances to games - and we fully respect the views of all fans on this matter. I hope that supporters would understand our position in such circumstances."
Rangers manager Walter Smith agreed that the game should not be played.
"You cannot think of playing at a time like this. Obviously it is a very difficult time for everybody, especially," he said.
The last minute decision to call off tomorrow's match as a mark of respect for tragic Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell was made about 48 hours before kick-off, leaving many local fans facing major disruption to their holiday travel plans.
The New Year Old Firm match is traditionally the biggest annual exodus of local football fans. Many will have already travelled to Scotland to enjoy the Hogmanay celebrations.
Ferry and some coach companies immediately refunded payments to many of the supporters clubs who planned to attend the match.
But people travelling by airline and those who booked accommodation may be out of pocket as a result of the postponement.
O'Donnell, 35, collapsed on the pitch during Saturday's match against Dundee United and died later in hospital.
Celtic requested the postponement because O'Donnell made 89 appearances for the club during five seasons with them.
Rangers boss Walter Smith backed the request and the Scottish Premier League agreed to the postponement. Two other games had already been postponed as a mark of respect.
Other Scottish managers and players agreed with the decision - as did many of the Northern Ireland-based supporters who had to cancel their plans at the last minute.
"Obviously I can understand why it's been done," said Sam Morton, of the Ballymena Legends Loyal Rangers Supporters Club.
"But I felt the announcement was left very, very late in the day. No sooner had I finalised our travel arrangements for 22 people than the announcement was made."
Mr Morton said staff from P&O Ferries had been due to finish work at lunchtime yesterday but returned to work to ensure that refunds were made. Stena Line also agreed to refund fares for travelling supporters.
A Celtic supporters' organiser, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is only fair and proper.
"Phil O'Donnell was fantastic in his day, but this does put football into perspective."
The game is the third SPL fixture scheduled for January 2 to be called off.
Motherwell's game against Hibernian was called off on Saturday night in the hours after O'Donnell lost his life following his on-field collapse.
And Gretna's game against St Mirren was postponed yesterday as it was due to take place at Fir Park, Motherwell's ground, which has become a shrine to the memory of the popular 35-year-old.
Celtic's visit to Motherwell on Sunday was also called off yesterday.
Celtic skipper Stephen McManus spoke out in favour of the postponement after visiting Fir Park to pay his respects to his friend and fellow professional.
Mr McManus said: "Having met this morning as a group for the first time since Phil's death, the Celtic team, management and backroom staff feel very strongly that our match on Wednesday should be postponed as a mark of our sincere respect for Phil O'Donnell, a great player and a great man.
"A number of our squad have very close connections to Phil's family and feel it would be inappropriate to proceed with this match at such a time, following such a tragic event.
"We understand sincerely the inconvenience and frustration a postponement would cause supporters of both teams, particularly those who travel long distances to games - and we fully respect the views of all fans on this matter. I hope that supporters would understand our position in such circumstances."
Rangers manager Walter Smith agreed that the game should not be played.
"You cannot think of playing at a time like this. Obviously it is a very difficult time for everybody, especially," he said.
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