Old Firm game postponed

The Scottish Premier League have postponed Wednesday’s Old Firm derby as a mark of respect following the death of Motherwell skipper Phil O’Donnell.

Celtic today made a formal request to the SPL for the game to be called off as their squad struggle to cope with the death of their former player.

Rangers boss Walter Smith also backed a postponement and the SPL moved quickly to meet the request.

SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "These are never easy decisions. But we recognise that as a former player, Phil was part of Celtic's extended football family.

“After consultation with Rangers we agreed to postpone the Old Firm fixture on the second of January.”

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, 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.

But an SPL spokesman confirmed that the other three fixtures scheduled for Wednesday will go ahead as planned.