Press release: Post-split fixtures

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has today published the post-split fixture list for what promises to be an incredible climax to a thrilling William Hill Premiership title race.

Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Celtic, Motherwell and Hibernian were already assured of a top-six place and John McGlynn’s Falkirk joined them at the weekend when they won 3-2 at Fir Park to secure a top-half finish on their first season back in the William Hill Premiership since 2009/10.

With six fixture rounds remaining, Derek McInnes’ Heart of Midlothian side are in pole position - one point clear of Danny Rohl’s Rangers and three points ahead of reigning champions Celtic - as they chase their first top-flight title since 1959/60.

The opening post-split games take place on the weekend of April 25/26, with Sky Sports covering a huge Edinburgh derby between Hibernian and leaders Heart of Midlothian at Easter Road on Sunday April 26, kick-off 4.30pm, which follows their coverage of Celtic v Falkirk on Saturday April 25, kick-off 5.30pm.

There’s another big Sky Sports double header the following weekend. Hibernian are at home to Celtic on Sunday May 3, kick-off 12 noon, and then on the public holiday of Monday May 4, Hearts host Rangers at Tynecastle for another massive match, kick-off 5.30pm. 

In fixture round 36, Sky Sports will show the meeting of Motherwell and Hearts at Fir Park on Saturday May 9, kick-off 8.00pm. Sunday May 10 brings the final meeting of the season between Celtic and Rangers, with a 12 noon kick-off at Celtic Park, live on Sky Sports.

Broadcast selections for round 37 will be announced in due course but all three top-six fixtures that midweek - Heart of Midlothian v Falkirk, Motherwell v Celtic and Rangers v Hibernian - will be played on Wednesday May 13, kick-off 8.00pm. Bottom-six fixtures will take place the previous evening, Tuesday May 12, kick-off 7.45pm.

The top-six of an unforgettable campaign will conclude on Saturday May 16, when Celtic face Hearts at Celtic Park, Rangers go to the Falkirk Stadium and Hibernian play Motherwell at Easter Road. Broadcast selections will be confirmed nearer the time, but all three games will kick off at 12.30pm.

In the bottom-six, Premier Sports will show three post-split matches live, including the Dundee derby at Tannadice on Sunday April 26, kick-off 2.00pm. They will also cover Livingston v Aberdeen on Friday May 1, kick-off 7.45pm, and Livingston v Kilmarnock on the final day of the season - Sunday May 17, with a 2.00pm kick-off.

These confirmed TV picks mean this season will feature a record number of William Hill Premiership matches shown live on TV in the SPFL era, with 72 games already chosen for broadcast across Sky Sports and Premier Sports and more to be announced.

Calum Beattie, SPFL Chief Operating Officer, said: “Following the weekend’s results, we are delighted to publish the post-split fixtures and the majority of broadcast selections to allow clubs and supporters to make plans for what promises to be a fantastic few weeks of football with so much at stake across the William Hill Premiership.

“This has been a season like no other, with so many talking points and unrivalled drama. We would like to thank Sky Sports and Premier Sports for showcasing the very best of our game, with more live games than ever before and look forward to watching all the action unfold.”

Gary Hughes, Director of Football at Sky Sports, said: “This is crunch time in the Scottish Premiership title race. It’s been one of the great stories of the football season so far. With everyone set to play each other again, there promises to be plenty more drama to come. Sky Sports is excited to bring more post-split matches than ever before, providing unrivalled coverage and expert analysis of the run-in.”

POST-SPLIT MATCHES CONFIRMED FOR LIVE BROADCAST:

TOP-SIX

Saturday April 25: Celtic v Falkirk (Sky Sports, 5.30pm)

Sunday April 26: Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian (Sky Sports, 4.30pm)

Sunday May 3: Hibernian v Celtic (Sky Sports, 12 noon)

Monday May 4: Heart of Midlothian v Rangers (Sky Sports, 5.30pm)

Saturday May 9: Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian (Sky Sports, 8.00pm)

Sunday May 10: Celtic v Rangers (Sky Sports, 12 noon)

BOTTOM-SIX

Sunday April 26: Dundee United v Dundee (Premier Sports, 2.00pm)

Friday May 1: Livingston v Aberdeen (Premier Sports, 7.45pm)

Sunday May 17: Livingston v Kilmarnock (Premier Sports, 2.00pm)