Scottish Premiership: Hearts, Celtic Set For Potential Title Decider

Heart of Midlothian and Celtic could face a dramatic final-day title decider in Glasgow on Saturday, 16 May, following the announcement of the Scottish Professional Football League’s post-split Premiership fixtures.

The 12-team top flight divides into two sections of six after this coming weekend’s 33rd set of fixtures, with Rangers also in contention for the title in a thrilling three-horse race.

The SPFL typically aims to avoid a potential Old Firm title decider due to policing concerns. This season’s final Glasgow derby, with reigning champions Celtic hosting Rangers, has been scheduled for Sunday, 10 May – the third-to-last set of fixtures.

However, Hearts have disrupted the usual order this season. Edinburgh’s surprise long-time leaders kick off their post-split schedule with an away derby against Hibernian on Sunday, 26 April. Derek McInnes’ side, whose lead over Rangers was cut to a point at the weekend and are now just three clear of Celtic, will entertain the Ibrox side on Monday, 4 May.

Rangers’ final league game is a third visit to Falkirk, who have one more home game than other clubs due to a fixture imbalance, having been expected to finish in the bottom half. John McGlynn’s side will also host Hibs for a third time and travel to Celtic Park and Tynecastle for a third time.

In the bottom half, where five teams could face relegation, bottom-placed Livingston have one extra away game and one less at home. The final bottom-six fixtures are on Sunday, 17 May, with Dundee hosting Aberdeen, Kilmarnock visiting Livingston, and St Mirren entertaining Dundee United.

After this weekend, the Premiership will observe a two-week hiatus for international fixtures and Scottish Cup semi-finals before resuming on 25 April. On that day, Celtic entertain Falkirk in the top half, while Aberdeen host Kilmarnock and Livingston visit St Mirren. The following day, Rangers host Motherwell, and United host the final Dundee derby.

The remaining fixtures will be staged over the weekends of 2 and 3 May, 9 and 10 May, the midweek of 12 and 13 May, with the top six concluding on 16 May and the bottom half the following day.

When Hearts visit Celtic Park on the final day of the top half, it will mark 28 years to the day since the Edinburgh side defeated Rangers to lift the Scottish Cup at the same venue, while the national stadium at Hampden Park was undergoing renovations.