"There is no outcome that pleases everybody. Everyone has to understand that, no matter what happens here, someone will feel hard done by"
Sunday 29 March 2020 16:45, UK
Michael Devlin admits he and his Aberdeen team-mates are struggling to see how the season can be finished.
The SPFL will speak with all 42 Scottish league clubs via conference calls on Friday to discuss the ongoing situation surrounding the coronavirus shutdown.
Aberdeen had already travelled to face Motherwell when Scottish football was suspended on the day of their crucial Ladbrokes Premiership fixture on March 13.
Aberdeen had hopes of leapfrogging Motherwell into third spot but Devlin accepts that chance might have gone completely.
Scotland's chief medical officer, Catherine Calderwood, has predicted restrictions on movement will be needed for "at least 13 weeks", virtually ruling out UEFA's ambition to see domestic leagues completed by June 30 - and Devlin feels there will be too many complications in trying to resume the season at a later date.
The Scotland international told his club's RedTV service: "We as footballers would always rather finish the season. Certainly from an Aberdeen perspective we have got third place, or we had third place, to chase. If the league were to stop we relinquish our ability to change our position.
"There is no outcome that pleases everybody. Everyone has to understand that, no matter what happens here, someone will feel hard done by.
"The overwhelming feeling, from my understanding, it's very difficult to see how the league will continue without disrupting next season.
"And I think that will be the priority. As much as of course we want to finish this season then I'm not quite sure how we do that if we extend the season, with the added complication in Scotland that contracts expire at the end of May.
"To play into June and July, do we ask players to sign contract extensions? If a club haven't offered you a longer-term deal do you sign a one-month extension to play a few games. What if you get injured? Who then looks after your rehab? There are a lot of things to consider.
"It's a frightening time when you weigh up all the pros and cons to whatever the outcome is going to be. Amongst the boys, everyone sees it very difficult for the league to continue as it is.
"I must say, I am delighted I am not part of the panel making that decision because I don't envy them whatsoever."
