Celtic v Rangers date set as SPFL publish post-split fixtures

Celtic and Rangers fifth meeting of the season will take place on May 11 after the SPFL confirmed the post-split Premiership fixtures.

Last weekend’s fixtures finalised which teams would be playing in the top and bottom half of the league, allowing the organisers to draw up the schedule for the final weeks of the season.

The top two will go head to head in Glasgow in the second round of fixtures, with Celtic guaranteed to go into the game as league leaders.

Ange Postecoglou’s side hold a six-point advantage as the schedule pauses for the Scottish Cup semi-finals, and Celtic will be away to Ross County on April 24 in their first match when the league resumes. Rangers will be away to Motherwell on the same day before the side meet at Celtic Park a week later.

Celtic will then play Hearts at home on May, 7, Dundee United away four days later and finish their league season at home to Motherwell on May 14.

Rangers will follow the Old Firm game with a him match against Dundee United on May 8, face Ross County at Ibrox on May 11 and then travel to play Hearts at Tynecastle on the final day.

The split means there are no further Edinburgh or Dundee derbies this season but the schedule has games that will have a huge say on the final European place for this season, as well as the relegated side and who takes part in the relegation play-off.

Calum Beattie, SPFL company secretary & director of operations, said: “We know that fans have been eagerly awaiting the news of this year’s cinch Premiership post-split fixtures, given there is so much still to play for right across the division.

“Planning for the different permutations has been a bit different this year, with seven clubs competing for the final three spots in the top six before round 33. It was an incredible Saturday afternoon of football, with dramatic late goals for Ross County and Motherwell seeing them join Celtic, Rangers, Heart of Midlothian and Dundee United in the top six.

“We are pleased to be able to announce the post-split fixture list and TV selections today. It is going to be a really exciting conclusion to the season, with the title race and battle to avoid relegation and the play-off still to be concluded, and the quest for European places also set to go down to the wire.

“Everyone at the SPFL hopes supporters enjoy the post-split matches and wish all 12 cinch Premiership clubs the very best of luck for the rest of the season.”

TOP-SIX FIXTURES

Sunday April 24
Dundee United v Heart of Midlothian (3.00pm)
Motherwell v Rangers (Sky Sports, 12 noon)
Ross County v Celtic (Sky Sports, 2.30pm)

Saturday April 30
Dundee United v Motherwell (3.00pm)
Heart of Midlothian v Ross County (3.00pm)

Sunday May 1
Celtic v Rangers (Sky Sports, 12 noon)

Saturday May 7
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian (Sky Sports, 12 noon)
Ross County v Motherwell (3.00pm)

Sunday May 8
Rangers v Dundee United (3.00pm)

Wednesday May 11
Dundee United v Celtic (Sky Sports, 7.30pm)
Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian (7.45pm)
Rangers v Ross County (7.45pm)

Saturday May 14
Celtic v Motherwell (Sky Sports, 12.15pm)
Heart of Midlothian v Rangers (12.15pm)
Ross County v Dundee United (12.15pm)

BOTTOM-SIX FIXTURES

Saturday April 23
Aberdeen v Livingston (3.00pm)
Dundee v St Johnstone (3.00pm)
St Mirren v Hibernian (3.00pm)

Saturday April 30
Aberdeen v Dundee (3.00pm)
Livingston v Hibernian (3.00pm)
St Johnstone v St Mirren (3.00pm)

Saturday May 7
Hibernian v Aberdeen (3.00pm)
Livingston v St Johnstone (3.00pm)
St Mirren v Dundee (3.00pm)