Gordon sure review won’t be hampered by politics

HIBS chairman Ron Gordon believes Scotland’s football clubs will set politics to one side in order to make good on the findings of the imminent Deloitte review.

Gordon says the study, commissioned by five Premiership clubs last September to explore ways of significantly growing revenue streams, will be published by July at the latest.

Hearts, Aberdeen, Dundee United and Dundee have joined forces with the Easter Road club with the the blessing of the

SPFL board.

The absence of both Celtic and Rangers from the steering group has raised questions around its viability but the US-based Gordon insists there is sufficient goodwill to bring the project’s findings towards fruition.

He said: ‘There is some of that (politics) but I am encouraged by the willingness of everybody to really bring something positive to the table.

‘We have one more meeting on one aspect. I think we should be in a position to present to the board in either June or July.

‘Honestly, I am very encouraged by what I’ve seen so far.’

The study, undertaken

There has been a lot of collaboration and there has been progress

by the Deloitte Sports Business Group, is focused on four key areas — commercial growth, the SPFL brand, governance and structure, and strategic projects.

‘We have kept it very simple, there are no complicated aspects,’ added Gordon. ‘Hopefully, when we present the plan everyone will get behind it because these are all very good building blocks for the Scottish game.

‘There are some exciting things there for the league, I think. There has been a lot of collaboration and there has been good progress. I am excited about that.’

Gordon declined to expand on any of the fine details but highlighted Rangers’ run to the Europa League final as a yardstick of what the Scottish game should aspire to.

‘The coefficient is a seven-year window but if you look at just the last four years, then Scotland would probably be No7, which is great,’ said Gordon. ‘Wednesday was a little disappointing in that Rangers did not win but it is great that they were there.

‘We want to get right up there, get more places in Europe and compete on the continent.

‘I think there is a commitment from clubs at all levels to try and propel the game forward.

‘Everybody is very passionate about the game here. That is a good thing — it can also not be a good thing. But I would rather have passion than no passion.’