Celtic are on an almighty high following a 3-2 victory in the Glasgow derby. Ange Postecoglou’s men are 12 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and it is fair to say they are champions in waiting.
There are still a significant seven league games left to play, five of which are yet to be announced due to how the annual split in Scottish football works out.
Celtic’s last two league games prior to the split see them face Kilmarnock away this Sunday and Motherwell at home the following Saturday.
After this, the Hoops face Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi finals on the 30th of April before they begin their post split campaign in which they will play five games against the five other teams in the top six.
Currently, Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen have all secured a top six place. Hearts are six clear of seventh with two games to go meanwhile St. Mirren are five clear therefore it looks likely both of those sides will be in the mix.
For the final top six berth, it is a toss up between Hibs, Livingston and Motherwell. Four points separate the teams who sit sixth, seventh and eighth respectively. Any of them could be in with a shout for top six.
To sum up, the teams Celtic will play post split are Rangers, Aberdeen, Hearts, St. Mirren and one of either Hibs, Livingston or Motherwell. Who the Bhoys will face at home and who they will play away is what we will now try to work out.
It is certain a trip to Ibrox is on the cards meanwhile Celtic have travelled to Paisley twice this season so will likely host St. Mirren post split.
In the league, the Hoops have only travelled to Tynecastle and Pittodrie once each so away ties against Hearts and Aberdeen may be on the cards.
Regarding the trio of Hibs, Livi and ‘Well who could all make the top six, Celtic have only played each side once away in the league so to even things out, they would have to play whoever makes the top half away from home.
This all leaves an anomaly, though. If the teams mentioned make the top six and if Celtic were to play every team twice home and twice away, they would face four away games after the split and just one at home.
Due to this, the SPFL will have to make one team visit Parkhead three times in the league this campaign to make things fair for Celtic in terms of post split fixtures so that they don’t face too many away ties and barely any at home.
Overall then, it is highly likely Celtic will face three away games after the split and one at home. Here is what the fixtures could look like (in no particular order of date played):
Rangers (A)
St. Mirren (H)
Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs/Motherwell/Livingston (2A and 1H)
Obviously we do not know in what order Celtic’s post split games would take place although we do know the dates they could be played on:
Rd 34 – Weekend of May 6/7th
Rd 35 – Weekend of May 13/14th
Rd 36 – Weekend of May 20/21st
Rd 37 – Midweek of May 23/24th
Rd 38 – Weekend of May 27/28th
Obviously the predictions and assumptions made in this article are only speculative so do not take what you have read as gospel truth. Nevertheless, this piece does give a decent enough indication of who Celtic could play post split and whether each match is home or away.
