Gretna to play against Dons despite administration blow
Gretna insist the clash against Gordon Strachan's side next Sunday will go ahead
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Friday, 14, Mar 2008 09:12
Cash-strapped Gretna have confirmed tomorrow's game against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League will go ahead.
Gretna went into administration this week after benefactor Brooks Mileson withdrew his financial backing after falling ill.
The club's administrator David Elliot claimed yesterday only ten players were willing to play against the Dons.
But the club insist a full squad will travel to Pittodrie, which includes a number of under-19 players.
"We've got a squad now capable of travelling so there's no problems at all doing that," a club spokesman said.
"Obviously, it's not going to have some of the players that were here beforehand.
"It will include three or four under-19 players but generally it still contains a lot of the original squad."
The SPL has handed Gretna £100,000 so it survives until the league splits, according to reports.
The cash would allow Gretna to play the five matches before the league divides into top six and bottom six.
If Gretna cannot finish the ten remaining games, the SPL will have to recalculate the league table. All points from games involving the bottom club would be removed.
The Black and Whites insist the league game against champions Celtic on March 23rd at Fir Park will also go ahead.
Meanwhile, ex-Carlisle United boss Roddy Collins is heading an Irish consortium aiming to buy the club.
Collins said he and other members of property developers, the McMullen Group, will meet administrators at Raydale Park on Tuesday to discuss the bid.