Former Celtic forward Chris Sutton thinks the decision to conclude the 2019/20 season early may well benefit Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.

The Light Blues have struggled for form since the winter break, and Sutton believes that if they had slipped further behind in the last nine games, it could have put Gerrard’s position as manager under threat:

“If I was Gerrard I would be quite happy at it ending now. He knew it was over anyway. And if the final nine games of their season had gone the same way as the other 10 during 2020 for him he could have been in serious trouble saving his credibility. Finishing this season early might just do Gerrard a big favour.”

Sutton is clearly looking for a rise from Rangers supporters with those comments. They were 13 points behind Celtic, with a game in hand, but there were still two Old Firm derbies to play and there is no way to predict how the rest of the season would have gone.

Prematurely ending the campaign leaves many questions unanswered, and with the SPFL having handled the situation very poorly, it has left a bitter taste in the mouth for many fans. Titles are supposed to be won on the pitch, not in boardrooms, and the fallout from this season will have far-reaching ramifications.