Celtic’s draw today at Motherwell edged them a little closer to the Premiership title and further shortened the odds with Betway, but left the SPFL with a headache as they plan the post split fixtures.
Avoiding a title clincher in a Glasgow derby seems to be the main requirement in the fixture planning but with three sets of fixtures still to be negotiated ensuring that is no easy task.
Today’s point took Celtic on to the 68 mark, ten ahead of Aberdeen with the same number of games played.
With home matches coming up against Ross County and Dundee followed by a trip to Hamilton Accies the hoops look like taking a further nine points before the break- if Aberdeen win all of their remaining matches they can reach the 80 point mark.
On that basis Celtic v Aberdeen would be the ideal first post split fixture with a win virtually clinching the title as the best the Dons could do is draw level with the hoops who have a better goal difference of 28.
Before the split Aberdeen host St Johnstone before travelling to Motherwell and Dundee.
Making a Celtic v Aberdeen clash the first after the split followed by an away match at Hearts or Hibs would then clear the decks for a visit from Sevco in the third post split fixture before presentation day in the final match on May 13.
Sevco could reach 79 points if they go on a highly unlikely seven match winning run, with their next match away to Motherwell Graeme Murty’s side will be looking over their shoulder as they try to secure second spot.
Celtic are due three home matches after the split with Aberdeen, Sevco and Kilmarnock the logical opponents alongside trips to Hearts and Hibs.