Post split fixtures released

Although it's of little more than academic interest the SPL have tonight issued their post-split fixtures.

The Celtic-Rangers match will be played on Tuesday May 4, kick off 7.45, the second last game of the season.

Next Saturday Celtic face Hibs at home with a 12.15 kick-off which should further reduce the attendance on the back of today's result.

The remaining fixtures see Celtic travel to Dundee United on April 25 for another 12.15 kick off, Motherwell visit Celtic on May 1, for the second time in a month before the Rangers game with the season official end of the season coming at Tynecastle on Sunday May 9 with a 1.30pm kick off.

As a result of the split Celtic will have faced Motherwell at home three times this season.

SPL fixtures

On a lighter note

Firstly, it was refreshing to hear Neil Lennon's after match thoughts following today's unspeakable performance and result at Hampden.

The caretaker boss will take his share of the blame, the performance of today's players was no real surprise with no-one emerging with any credibility.

The fall-out will be interesting but only Paul Caddis and Paul McGowan, two relatively untried reserves, offer any options to change the team against Motherwell.

From Lennon's quotes it looks like Georgios Samaras and Marco Fortune may not be seen again in a Celtic jersey, with Landry N'Guemo possibly suffering the same fate.

Anyway the Celtic u-19 side were in action at Stirling University today and beat Falkirk 2-0 to go nine points ahead of Rangers who have four games left to play.

Darren McCauley opened the scoring in the first half with Greig Spence seeling the points in the second half, scoring for the sixth game running.

It's a big leap and hardly the ideal circumstances but perhaps Tuesday night against Motherwell could be the time to give Spence his debut.

Fixture decision today: May 5 likely for Celtic-Rangers

The SPL are hoping to announce the post-split fixtures today and finally name the date for the final Celtic-Rangers fixture.

Whoever it was that said that there would never be a Celtic-Rangers title decider/clincher really has dropped the SPL in it with the same scenario played out virtually every season.

With Rangers six points away from clinching the championship, or two matches away, the least problematic date for the match looks like being Wednesday May 5.

Saturday May 1 could be considered but an additional factor to the equation is that the police don't seem to like Celtic playing Rangers on a bank holiday weekend although they haven't had any additional problems with fixtures over the festive season.

A midweek fixture isn't ideal but is probably considered the least problematic but again puts out long distance Celtic fans who have only had four Saturday home matches this season.

All being well for the SPL the top six will be decided today with Hearts requiring a draw or a St Johnstone defeat to secure their place in the top six.

If that comes to pass the fixtures will be published tonight, if not it's back to plan B tomorrow including St Johnstone.

As ever there will be anomolies around with Celtic having played Dundee United, Hibs, Motherwell and Hearts at home twice already this season.

Celtic are due three home matches after the split meaning that two clubs can expect a third trip to Celtic Park- will one of those clubs be Dundee United with both clubs contending for second place?

There is no easy solution to the fixture issue created by the split but perhaps the SPL should issue the full fixtures at the start of the season based on the previous season's standings.

Although there is virtually no chance of the same teams finishing in the top six it would create a framework for the fixtures rather than leave supporters trying to second guess what's going on.

Last season's fixtures provided their share of controversy with the timing of the Rangers-Celtic game allowing Madjid Bougherra to return from suspension and giving Rangers three home games with Hearts and three away to Hibs.

Click here later today for the post-split fixtures- Hearts, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and St Johnstone permitting!

Rangers slip up as double chasing youths prepare for Falkirk challenge

Celtic's double chasing u-19 side travel to Stirling University tomorrow to face Falkirk with the match kicking-off at 11am.

Last week's 1-0 win over Rangers has put Stevie Frail's side into the driving seat for the title with just three matches left to play after the clash with Falkirk.

Rangers 0-0 draw with St Johnstone earlier today leaves the young hoops six points clear at the top of the table with Rangers having played a game fewer.

A win tomorrow against Falkirk, who they defeated 4-1 last month, would stretch Celtic's lead at the top of the table to nine points.

With the SFA Youth Cup to be contested against Rangers at Hampden on April 28 the u-19 side have the possibility of winning the double but Frail has been keeping their attention focussed on Falkirk.

He said: "I know it's cliched we can't afford to look any further than the next match and Falkirk will be a tough match for us.

"The players are looking forward to the match and we've had a good week in training after the result last week against Rangers.

"We had a bounce game against Airdrie during the week where we played a few of our under-seventeen players and we had some players involved in the reserves 4-1 win over Hamilton.

"We've got ourselves into a good position in the league but we have to keep on winning, we're looking forward to the Falkirk match, we're confident about it but we know it will be another tough test."

Whatever level Celtic play Rangers at the match will always be the benchmark to judge players against.

Last Saturday's 1-0 win at Murray Park over Billy Kirkwood's team couldn't be described as a classic but showed the nerve and professionalism of the squad.

While developing and encouraging players is important installing a winning mentality is just as vital.

Frail added: "There was a lot to be encouraged with from the win last week, looking back at the game I was pleased with the professionalism that we showed.

"The game was tight but we held our nerve and even when we didn't have the ball we worked well.

"It might be a cynical part of the game but when we went in front we used the ball well, we played out time in the right areas.

"Even at senior level you see teams losing important goals late on and it's important to use the ball well when you are ahead in a tight match.

"The win last week was pleasing but we've got to move forward now and everyone is concentrating on facing Falkirk."