Celtic’s fixtures for the 2024/25 season were officially released yesterday as excitement builds among supporters for the new campaign.
The Hoops kicking off their title defence on a Sunday at 4.30 pm is rather strange, as is the fact they’re playing at home on Boxing Day this year.
Indeed, for the past seven seasons on the bounce, the Celts have been away the day after Christmas.
Last year, manager Brendan Rodgers outlined this anomaly, outlining that it needed to be looked at.
“It’s interesting, actually, I’m pretty sure I’m correct in this, I think the last seven years, Celtic have been away at that period of the season”, he said (Clyde 1 Superscoreboard).
“So either we’re very, very unlucky to be drawn away, or someone is making tricks behind the scenes.
“That’s not right for supporters, so hopefully they can maybe look at that going forward.”
Those comments were made back in October. Fast forward eight months and the SPFL have finally given Celtic a home fixture on Boxing Day.
The manager’s words have undoubtedly influenced the league’s governing body. It is no coincidence that after Rodgers said what he did, the champions were given a home tie the day after Christmas for the first time in almost a decade.
Motherwell will be the visitors to Parkhead on December 26th in what will be the second in a run of five arduous games in the space of just under a fortnight during the festive period.
It will feel slightly strange for some supporters not to be on the road on Boxing Day, but a home game straight after Christmas will come as a welcomed change for others.
