Murray hits out at 'crazy' SPL split

Graeme Christie
HIBERNIAN captain Ian Murray has called for the SPL split to be abolished, branding it "crazy".
The format, which sees the top six and bottom six clubs breakaway from each other after 33 games, has been the subject of controversy ever since it was first introduced for the 2000-2001 Premier League campaign.

While Murray accepts that in previous years it has added to the excitement, he now feels that the time has come to abandon the system.

The defender, whose side travel to St Mirren in tonight's televised encounter, believes it is "ridiculous" that teams looking at a possible Uefa Cup place one week could be denied that chance by being in the bottom half after 33 games the next.

"I would abolish the top six, completely abolish it," said Murray. "I've read stuff that it's produced two tight finishes, but quite frankly to the teams that finish outside the top six that doesn't mean anything."

Murray, now in his second spell at Easter Road, added: "It is exciting but in other ways it's quite ridiculous that Motherwell or Hibs could miss out on third place by as little as two points and not get the chance to kick on for a place in Europe.

"Then you've got other teams who don't get the chance for them (the Old Firm] to come to their stadium twice a season, and miss out on revenue."

This season's SPL table is particularly tight, at the top and the bottom, which is why Murray doubts the validity of the split.

He said: "I think this season it will probably show that the top six doesn't work, due to the fact that the league has been so tight at both ends. Effectively you can be left mid-table with no chance of going up or down the way. As I say, you could miss out on third place (originally] by two or three points and then end up with more points than the team finishing in third place. It's crazy really."

As they prepare to face a St Mirren side battling for survival in what will be the Edinburgh club's first visit to the Buddies' new stadium, Murray is fully aware of the importance of tonight's match, particularly bearing in mind that Rangers will be the visitors to Easter Road the following Sunday.

"Realistically, we have to win," said Murray, who missed the last encounter between the sides in January, a match which saw Hibs run out 2-0 winners.

"Hopefully we don't need too much against Rangers. It's going to go down to the last game anyway, and maybe goal difference."

The 28-year-old knows that his side will only have themselves to blame should they fail in their efforts of finishing in the top six.

"We know the rules so you can't backtrack now and say it's unfair," said Murray. "We knew what we had to do and if we don't do it then it's our own fault.

"If we held on to that lead last week at Tannadice we would have been sitting in a very good position, and it would have dragged Dundee United back into the equation as well."

A last-minute equaliser meant Hibs were left to rue several missed chances, a recurring theme this season, which is a point not lost on their captain. "It's been in our hands for the last few weeks and a mixture of bad luck, maybe bad defending, and poor finishing has cost us. It's all ifs and buts," said Murray.

"We should have beaten Aberdeen and we should have beaten Dundee United.

"Our finishing against Aberdeen was poor. The defence has had four clean sheets in a row which is good. The last-minute goal against Dundee United was just bad luck, it's just one of these things that happen.

"We got a goal similar to that against Aberdeen earlier in the season. A point away from home at Tannadice isn't a bad result really."

Murray also revealed his surprise at the predicament tonight's opponents find themselves in. St Mirren have not won a league game in 2009, with their last victory coming at home to Hamilton on the 27 December.

"I think St Mirren are a decent side, I was surprised (at their league position]," said Murray.

"I didn't realise that it was so close at the bottom until last weekend."

Despite their lowly position, Hibs will be all too aware of the dangers that come with underestimating opponents, and Murray admits their failure to see off lesser sides could come back to haunt them.

He said: "These are the teams we've struggled against this season.

"We've only taken a point from Inverness and a point from Kilmarnock, so that's two points from 18, and when you look at the league table that could be the killer for us."

Taken from the Scotsman