The Coronavirus crisis has deepened after it was confirmed today this weekend’s Old Firm match may be played behind closed doors, depending on the outcome of a government meeting.

The news, hot on the back of the threat to tonight’s Bayer clash (which appears to be alleviated now after Uefa put sport and profit above health and safety), would be a stunning and bizarre outcome to see the first ever Old Firm match to be played without any spectators.

The global pandemic is gathering pace and especially the past 24 hours have seen a major escalation in the gravity of the situation, and with the Scottish season now coming under threat, the Old Firm at the weekend could be the most surreal in history, in front of an empty Ibrox.

As we brought you in a previous entry, the authorities are also aware of the potential for postponing/voiding the entire season given just how speedily this virus is spreading, and the need for a great number of people to self-isolate, including an increasing number of footballers and football teams.

The season is getting to the point, Europe-wise (and indeed globally) of no longer being feasible and while both of Rangers’ two next fixtures are going ahead, for now, the picture over the next week could change that dramatically in the short to medium term.

We’ll see how this goes but it’s deeply troubling.