Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has demanded a “forensic” investigation into the SPFL as he called out Murdoch MacLennan.
Gerrard branded the league governing body “an absolute mess” as he broke his silence on the controversial voting process set to crown Celtic as Premiership champions.
Dundee’s controversial u-turn allowed the lower leagues to be declared over, with the SPFL now holding the power to do the same in the top flight.
But Gerrard has slammed the much-criticised process and believes it’s time for MacLennan to show “real leadership” and prove the SPFL is “clean”.
Rangers have written to the league supremo over alleged past anti-Rangers comments.
And the Ibrox boss believes it’s time to hear from the chairman.
He told Sky Sports: “I’ve been watching closely from back home and it seems a bit of a mess at the moment.
“My stance, certainly, is to let the suits carry on doing what they’re doing – it’s their job to continue representing Rangers in that way.
“But, from afar, the SPFL looks an absolute mess, in all honesty.
“I’m watching ex-players and pundits, reading media and it’s getting absolutely battered from pillar to post with the way its handled things in the past couple of days.
“From my point of view, all I ask is for the main leader of the SPFL to show some leadership at this time.
“What he has to do now, because there’s so many doubts, accusations and questions about this institution.
“He needs to allow an independent investigation into the setup to prove everyone wrong and make sure there is fairness and transparency across the board
“There’s so many doubts now, certainly looking in over the last few days, it’s so confusing at the moment.
“The SPFL have said they’re open to an internal investigation and I don’t agree with that.
“You shouldn’t really be allowed to mark your own homework. If you mark your own homework you’re always going to finish top of the class and there’ll be no questions asked.
“So, for me, there needs to be an expert out there, a forensic investigator who should come in and look at everything across the board with the SPFL.
“If everything’s clean, fair and transparent then all the accusations and bad media, ex-pundits, can’t slam the organisation and everyone can move forward in the right direction.”
And Gerrard continued: “I’ve watched in last two or three days, the SPFL – an organisation I’m a big part of now – get absolutely slaughtered.
“I’m waiting for the leader, Murdoch MacLennan to come out and say: ‘OK, this is our organisation, I’m going to be the leader, I’m going to show leadership and I’m going to allow an outside investigator to come, go right through the whole situation and prove everything’s clean’.”
Gerrard was asked how the situation compares to growing financial concerns in the EFL, and if a similar ballot could be held down south.
The Rangers manager expressed concerns with the mechanics of the SPFL vote – insisting clubs not involved in relegation or title battles were always going to vote yes, as they’d been warned this was the only way to free up the much-needed prize money.
Gerrard said: “Possibly (a vote could happen in the EFL). I don’t think anyone’s got any problems with how the SPFL have went about it, in terms of a vote.
“It’s because everyone feels as though they’ve been backed into a corner to give that vote. Basically, they’re saying no money can be given out until you give that (yes) vote.
“If you’re a team in the middle of that league and you’re safe from relegation or not involved in promotion, play-offs or to win anything, you’re bound to vote yes because you want your money straight away, you might be in financial difficulty.
“That’s not really a fair vote and that’s why they’ve managed to get 81 per cent of the vote.
“If they do end up doing it in England, the resolution Rangers suggested – and a few other clubs backed it – was can’t they give a certain amount of the money out?
“So all the worries about about financial situations are taken out of the equation and you can actually give a fair vote across the board.”
Rangers’ official stance is the season cannot be considered final until all remaining fixtures have been fulfilled.
And while Gerrard wants to see football return, he accepts there are much bigger issues at play.
He said: “Do I want to see the season finished? Look, first and foremost, I certainly understand the situation we’re in.
“There’s more important things to be focused on right now – our families, supporters and the health of everyone is the most important thing right now.
“Ideally, of course, I’d like to see everyone back playing and finish the season off. I think that’s how everyone wants to see it.
“But, the main priority is everyone’s health and football is secondary.”
Gerrard demands "forensic SPFL investigation" as he calls out Murdoch MacLennan - Daily Record
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