Latest news with #SPFL
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
How Celtic & Rangers could benefit from SPFL rule change
These are the games scheduled to take place on the weekend of August 23/24, as published by the SPFL earlier today. With both Celtic and Rangers needing to progress via the play-off system this season, it's no coincidence the rule change has been passed by the SPFL. Last year, and in years gone by, the league has copped criticism from clubs involved in the play-offs who were unable to request postponements. For example, last August, Kilmarnock had to travel to Aberdeen away in between their two-legged Europa Conference League play-off against FC Copenhagen, which Derek McInnes highlighted on several occasions. As well as Glasgow's big two, Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen could benefit from this new rule too. The Dons will enter the Europa League play-offs stage, and are guaranteed at least a place in the Conference League league phase. Hibs and Dundee United will both need to progress through a couple of rounds to even reach the play-off stage of the Europa League and Conference League respectively. As for Celtic, we know they will be involved in the Champions League play-off on the Champions Path. After the league fixtures were published today, we now know they will play one of those games in week ahead of the derby away at Ibrox. If they wanted to postpone their matchday three fixture, this would see them push back a home clash against Livingston. As for Russell Martin's men, they will have to push past Panathinaikos before coming up against future opponents - potentially either Benfica or Club Brugge - to progress to the play-offs of the Champions League. However, they could also end up in the play-offs of the Europa League, or even the Conference League. So, should the Ibrox club find themselves in that situation, an away game against St Mirren could be postponed. It remains to be seen if any of the aforementioned sides will take up the option, but at least they have the autonomy to make that call.
The National
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
How Celtic & Rangers could benefit from SPFL rule change
In a rather quiet fashion, it can be confirmed that teams involved in play-off rounds of the three UEFA competitions will be allowed to request postponements of their matchday three fixtures in the Scottish Premiership. These are the games scheduled to take place on the weekend of August 23/24, as published by the SPFL earlier today. With both Celtic and Rangers needing to progress via the play-off system this season, it's no coincidence the rule change has been passed by the SPFL. Last year, and in years gone by, the league has copped criticism from clubs involved in the play-offs who were unable to request postponements. For example, last August, Kilmarnock had to travel to Aberdeen away in between their two-legged Europa Conference League play-off against FC Copenhagen, which Derek McInnes highlighted on several occasions. As well as Glasgow's big two, Hibernian, Dundee United and Aberdeen could benefit from this new rule too. The Dons will enter the Europa League play-offs stage, and are guaranteed at least a place in the Conference League league phase. Hibs and Dundee United will both need to progress through a couple of rounds to even reach the play-off stage of the Europa League and Conference League respectively. As for Celtic, we know they will be involved in the Champions League play-off on the Champions Path. After the league fixtures were published today, we now know they will play one of those games in week ahead of the derby away at Ibrox. If they wanted to postpone their matchday three fixture, this would see them push back a home clash against Livingston. As for Russell Martin's men, they will have to push past Panathinaikos before coming up against future opponents - potentially either Benfica or Club Brugge - to progress to the play-offs of the Champions League. However, they could also end up in the play-offs of the Europa League, or even the Conference League. So, should the Ibrox club find themselves in that situation, an away game against St Mirren could be postponed. It remains to be seen if any of the aforementioned sides will take up the option, but at least they have the autonomy to make that call.
STV News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Charlie Mulgrew: Celtic will have ‘one eye' on Rangers under new boss Martin
Former Celtic player Charlie Mulgrew believes the champions 'will have one eye on Rangers' given the change in management at Ibrox. The completion of an American-led takeover resulted in the arrival of sporting director Kevin Thelwell and head coach Russell Martin, and Rangers fans are eagerly awaiting new players following promise of investment in the squad. Martin is the latest man to be tasked with ending Celtic's domestic dominance, which has seen them win 13 of the last 14 titles and come within a Scottish Cup shoot-out against Aberdeen of winning a sixth treble in nine seasons. Speaking after Celtic were handed a William Hill Premiership opener at home to St Mirren, Mulgrew said: 'I'm sure Brendan Rodgers will be looking at signings and looking first and foremost to get the players in the building to stay and push on next year. 'I think that cup final will leave a bit of a taste in their mouth and they'll be thinking when they get back at it. 'It's a disappointing end to the season, although it was a great season when you look back. 'It's hard to criticise when you look at how good the Champions League campaign was, the league campaign. 'Trebles have become such a regular thing, thanks to Brendan Rodgers and the way Celtic have been recently. 'But also, there will be one eye on Rangers' new manager and what he's going to bring. 'They'll know he's a good manager and good ideas in the game and he'll be looking to get Rangers back on track. 'You try and focus on yourself but there's no doubt about it. One eye is on… especially the fact they've got a new manager, so you don't know what he's going to bring. 'You don't know, although they'll have an idea of his last teams and what they've done, but you don't know what kind of reaction he'll get from the players. 'You imagine the reaction because he's new at the start and he's obviously a good pedigree, so that'll be interesting.' Charlie Mulgrew appeared courtesy of William Hill and the Warm-Up, SPFL title sponsor. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
SPFL fixtures: Hamilton Accies handed Broadwood opener as Airdrie and East Kilbride also facing home starts
The Lanarkshire sides have learned their fixtures for the campaign Four of the five Lanarkshire sides in the SPFL will kick-off the new season at home after the fixtures for the new season were announced this morning. Motherwell start with a blockbuster clash at Fir Park against Rangers on Saturday, August 2 - kick-off 5.30pm on Sky Sports - which will see new boss Jens Berthel Askou lock horns with his old Norwich City team-mate and new Gers gaffer Russell Martin. Championship side Airdrieonians will welcome Ross County, who were relegated from the Premiership last season, to New Broomfield in a regular 3pm kick-off, while League One Hamilton Accies will play at their new home on the opening day. They play host to Montrose at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. Meanwhile, Lowland League champions and newly promoted East Kilbride will kick-off life in the SPFL by welcoming Spartans to K-Park for their League Two opener and Clyde are the only local side to be on the road, with a trip to Dumbarton first up for them in League Two. Here are thE first six fixtures for the Lanarkshire sides in thE SPFL. Motherwell's first six: August 2 - Rangers (H) August 9 - St Mirren (A) August 23 - Hearts (A) August 30 - Kilmarnock (H) September 13 - Dundee (A) September 27 - Aberdeen (H) Airdrieonians' first six: August 2 - Ross County (H) August 9 - Dunfermline (A) August 23 - Queen's Park (H) August 30 - Arbroath (A) September 6 - St Johnstone (H) September 13 - Partick Thistle (A) Hamilton Accies' first six: August 2 - Montrose (H) August 9 - Queen of the South (A) August 16 - East Fife (H) August 23 - Alloa (A) August 30 - Cover Rangers (H) September 13 - Peterhead (A) August 2 - Dumbarton (A) August 9 - Forfar (H) August 16 - Spartans (H) August 23 - Stranraer (A) August 30 - Elgin (H) September 13 - Annan (A) East Kilbride's first six: August 2 - Spartans (H) August 9 - Elgin City (A) August 16 - Stranrar (H) August 23 - Stirling (A) August 30 - Forfar (H) September 13 - Edinburgh City (A) A full list of the SPFL fixtures for the season ahead can be found on the SPFL website.
STV News
12 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Derby dates revealed as SPFL publishes 2025/26 Premiership fixture list
The Premiership fixture list for the 2025/26 season has been released, with top flight clubs learning who they will face on opening day and in the weeks to come. Derby dates have been confirmed and fans are able to draw up their plans as the schedule up until the split has been finalised. League champions Celtic begin their season with a home match against St Mirren on August 3, when the champions flag will be raised. Rangers will play their first league match under new ownership, and under Russell Martin's management, away at Motherwell at 5.30pm on August 2. Kilmarnock play Livingston in the first Premiership game fo the season at 3pm that day. Newly promoted Falkirk start with a home game, taking on Dundee United on opening day, while Dundee are at home to Hibernian the following day. Derek McInnes' first Premiership match at Hearts manager is on Monday, August 4, when the Tynecastle side host Aberdeen. SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: 'The publication of the fixture list is a big day in the calendar for clubs and fans alike and 2025/26 promises to be yet another exciting and dramatic season across all four divisions of the SPFL. 'Season 2024/25 saw record attendances for the third year in a row, with more than 5.3 million supporters attending matches across all our competitions, again highlighting the massive interest in football in this country. 'This coming season will also see more matches shown live on TV than ever before and I would like to thank our title sponsor William Hill and our broadcast partners Sky Sports, Premier Sports, BBC Scotland and BBC ALBA for showcasing the very best of the SPFL. I wish all 42 clubs well for the season ahead and hope that the supporters enjoy their football in the coming months.' The first Old Firm derby of the season takes place at Ibrox on August 31, with Celtic hosting their rivals on January 3. The teams meet for a third time at Ibrox on February 28. Hibs host Hearts in the first Edinburgh derby of the season on October 4, with the teams meeting again at Easter Road on December 27. The third clash between the teams will be at Tynecastle on February 11. Dundee United take on their city rivals at Dens Park on August 20. The teams then meet at Tannadice on January 3 and again at Dens on March 14. The full fixture list can be found on the SPFL website. There is no winter break in the Premiership again, with the expanded European competitions leaving no room in the calendar. However, for the first time Scotland's European representatives: Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United, will be able to postpone a league match. If they reach the play-off round of a UEFA competition, they will be permitted to postpone their matchday three Premiership fixture on the weekend of August 23. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
