Celtic could clinch SPL title before Old Firm clash at Ibrox

CELTIC could have at least two chances to clinch the Bank of Scotland Premier League title before the final Old Firm match of the season.

The SPL have announced the fixtures for the post-split games, which see the final Glasgow derby of the season taking place at Ibrox on Saturday, May 5, with a 12.30pm kick- off. If both Celtic and Rangers win their final two games before the split, the Hoops will go into the weekend of April 21/22 in reach of the title.

If Rangers then get a result against Hearts at Ibrox on the Saturday, Celtic would clinch their second successive title with victory at Kilmarnock on the Sunday. Celtic would need to drop points twice, and Rangers would need to keep winning, for there to be a prospect of the Bhoys winning the title at Ibrox. Gordon Strachan’s side, who face Dundee United and Motherwell before the split, also play Hearts at Parkhead on April 29.

Celtic could clinch the title with wins against Dundee United and Motherwell — at Parkhead on April 7 — if Rangers lose to Inverness the previous week.

Celtic host Aberdeen on May 12 before ending their campaign at Hibernian on May 20. Rangers travel to Easter Road for the third time this season on April 28 and host Kilmarnock on May 13.

The Ibrox men will aim to have a Champions League place secured well before they travel to Aberdeen on the final day, given their current seven-point lead over the Dons.

There will be 12 matches televised by Setanta, including the crucial game between relegation rivals St Mirren and Dunfermline, in Paisley, on Monday, April 30. Both face other Monday night games — Saints are at Falkirk on April 23 and Dunfermline host Motherwell on May 7.

The bottom six conclude their season on Saturday May 20 while the top six plays out the following day.