RTÉ to air Celtic’s league matches

RTÉ has secured the rights to screen Celtic’s Scottish Premier League (SPL) matches.

The deal agreed with SPL gives the national broadcaster the rights to show live Celtic matches this season.

The majority of the screened matches will be played away from Celtic Park, except for the Old Firm games against Rangers.

The deal allows RTÉ to show at least 12 games before the season finishes in May.

Coverage begins with the Old Firm game against Rangers this Sunday at Celtic Park.

The game will be screened live on Network 2 and coverage begins at 2pm with commentary by George Hamilton and former Celtic great Billy McNeill.

“We're thrilled to be able to bring Irish viewers coverage of Celtic on free-to-air television,” RTÉ head of sport, Niall Cogley, said.

“Ireland boasts a huge number of Celtic supporters and I think the acquisition of this package will enhance our soccer coverage immensely.”

Sky Sports is not showing the SPL this season and the only games set to be screened here were the Celtic V Rangers games on BBC1.

The remainder of the fixtures were only going to be shown on BBC Scotland. RTÉ officials denied they were forced to hammer out a new football deal after losing the rights for the international soccer team’s home games.

“We are always on the lookout for games that would be of interest to our viewers,” a spokesperson said.

The station is hoping they will be able to attract around 250,000 viewers for the big games in the SPL.

The deal was welcomed by Celtic supporters clubs in Ireland last night.

“This is great news because there weren’t as many people interested in Celtic when the games were not on television,” said Martin Dea of Limerick Celtic supporters club.

Football on TV

RTÉ: The Premiership highlights show; international away games (on an individual basis); at least 12 Celtic SPL games.

TV3: Champions League until the final in May; Ireland’s home games at Lansdowne Road; Eircom League.

Sky Sports: The Premiership; the Nationwide League; the Worthington Cup; Spanish Soccer.

ITV: Champions League; Premiership highlights.

BBC: Scottish Premier League; the FA cup.