Voltar
Celtic supporters planning to attend the Premiership clash against Hibernian on December 13 could face a change of plans following Rangers’ progression to the Premier Sports Cup final.
The Hoops are scheduled to welcome Hibs to Celtic Park that Sunday, but Rangers will now be involved in the Hampden showpiece on the same afternoon.
That leaves uncertainty over when Martin O’Neill’s side will actually face the Edinburgh club, with supporters potentially having to rearrange travel and other plans.
See the full Celtic v Rangers head-to-head record on our derby page.
According to the Daily Record, the SPFL and police are reluctant to have Celtic playing at home while Rangers are involved in a separate fixture elsewhere in Glasgow.
Although no revised date has been announced, a change to Celtic’s league schedule is now expected.
If Hearts progress, Celtic’s meeting with Hibs could potentially be moved back 24 hours to Monday, December 14.
That would allow the Premiership fixture to go ahead without clashing with the cup final at Hampden.
However, a Hibs victory would create a different problem.
The Easter Road side would then be preparing to face Rangers in the final on December 13, leaving Celtic’s league fixture without an obvious replacement date.
The SPFL would have to identify another suitable opening for the match.
Celtic’s Europa League schedule makes finding a solution more difficult.
O’Neill’s side are due to travel to Cyprus to face Omonia Nicosia on Thursday, December 10.
That makes bringing the Hibs game forward to Saturday, December 12, problematic because of the short turnaround following the European fixture.
The situation is particularly relevant to supporters who travel considerable distances to attend home games and need sufficient notice of changes.
December 13 remains the scheduled date for Celtic against Hibs, and supporters should await official confirmation before making alternative arrangements.
The result of today’s Edinburgh derby will determine whether a Monday evening fixture remains a possibility or whether the SPFL must find an entirely new date.