– SPFL split fixtures set to be announced on Tuesday afternoon
– Rangers set to have two home and three away games post-split
– Read Rangers writers give their perspective on what should happen.
Rangers will find out their final five dates of the season when the SPFL split fixtures are announced on Tuesday.
Interest and anticipation is building over what is set to be a very dramatic climax to the Scottish top-flight.
An unprecedented three-horse race could go down to the last game of the season, with Hearts, Rangers, and Celtic all vying to be crowned as the champion.
The precedent for the SPFL split fixtures is for the team leading going into the final five, to be given a home fixture for Game 38.
That script appears to ripped up this year, with speculation getting louder on the arrangements made between the league, police, and broadcasters.
Can’t see the ‘random fixtures computer’ doing Rangers any favours
Here at Read Rangers, Jack Cranmer has given his perspective on what he would like to see, but also what he thinks will happen.
“I would love, as we all would, the chance for Rangers to win the league at Celtic Park but after the Scottish Cup drama, I just don’t think police would allow it, therefore I expect the Old Firm to fall early.
“I do however, think the SPFL would love a final day decider, so I could easily see Tynecastle being the last day fixture for Danny Rohl’s team.
He continued, “It would be ideal if we can get Motherwell early with their current form – then Falkirk and Hibs in the lead up to that final day.
“They are both good teams but fifth and sixth for a reason.
“I do feel that it’ll be a mix and match however, can’t see the ‘random fixtures computer’ doing Rangers any favours.”
Jack would like to see the following set of games:
Motherwell (H), Celtic (A), Falkirk (A), Hibs (H), Hearts (A)
but believes it will be:
Hibs (H), Celtic (A), Motherwell (H), Falkirk (A), Hearts (A)
Avoiding a final day showdown like the plague
Matthew Muir envisages that Rangers could welcome Hibs to Ibrox in the first post-split match before visiting Motherwell at Fir Park.
“This could precede the final Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park.
“The SPFL will be wary after the scenes witnessed during the Scottish Cup quarter-final painted Scottish football in a bad light and will be avoiding a final day showdown like the plague.
“Therefore, placing the Celtic clash as the ‘middle’ fixture seems a logical solution.
The fact that the Gers’ last pre-split is at Falkirk feels like it would be too soon for a repeat in the immediate weeks after.
“The SPFL have a precedent of gifting the league leaders the final home match and on current league standings, Hearts against Rangers at Tynecastle seems the most plausible.
Hibs (H), Motherwell (A), Celtic (A), Falkirk (H), Hearts (A)
Graeme Hanna doesn’t see Hearts keeping the pace right up until the final day and would be content to go to Tynecastle for Game 37 or 38, if that materialises.
Regardless of the order, the games have to be played against the same opponents.
“If the SPFL follows the same precedent, Rangers could be at home for the last game, but with the announcement coming on Tuesday before Game 33, that idea appears to be out the window.
“It will likely take four wins, or at the very least, three wins, and two draws, and that includes taking all three points at Falkirk on Sunday before the split is upon us.”
Graeme’s prediction for the split games:
Celtic (A), Motherwell (H), Hearts (A), Falkirk (A),Hibs (H)
