Rule change Celtic could use against Livingston but probably won’t | OneFootball

Following the announcement of Friday’s fixture list for the new season, the SPFL implemented a new regulation permitting clubs participating in European competitions to postpone their domestic fixtures…

Neil Donacaster Photo: Andrew Milligan

It has been quietly confirmed that clubs competing in the play-off stages of the three UEFA tournaments can apply to postpone their third matchday games in the Scottish Premiership.

The SPFL released the fixtures on Friday listing the matches set for the weekend of August 23 and 24. Given that both Celtic and theRangers must advance through the play-offs this season, the SPFL’s approval of the rule change makes a lot of sense.

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In previous seasons, including last year, the league faced criticism from clubs competing in qualifiers who were denied the option to postpone matches unlike in other European leagues.

Derek McInnes manager of Kilmarnock arrives ahead the cinch Premiership match between Celtic FC and Kilmarnock FC at Celtic Park on August 4, 2024 . (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Last season, Kilmarnock faced an away trip to Aberdeen sandwiched between their two-legged Europa Conference League play-off ties against FC Copenhagen, a scheduling issue repeatedly pointed out by Derek McInnes. He certainly had a point.

Killie had a horrendous start to the season and never really recovered and it was partly down to having to juggle domestic competition as well as European qualifiers with a relatively thin squad.

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In addition to Celtic and the latest Ibrox club, Hibernian, Dundee United, and Aberdeen may also gain advantages from the introduction of this new regulation from the SPFL.

Aberdeen will compete in the Europa League play-offs and have secured a spot in the group stage of the Conference League due to beating Celtic in the Scottish Cup final last month.

Both Hibernian and Dundee United must advance through three qualifying rounds before reaching the Europa League or Conference League play-offs.

Celtic will compete in the Champions League play-off round via the Champions Path and will be seeded following Rijeka’s title victory in Croatia at the end of May.

With the league fixtures announced, it is now confirmed that the second leg of Celtic’s Champions League play-off qualifier will take place in the build-up to the first Glasgow Derby of the season at Ibrox.

Celtic Park. 17 May 2025.. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Subsequently, the week prior, Celtic CAN postpone their league match against Livingston at Celtic Park in order to prepare for the first leg of their money-spinning tie. As it’s a home match, there’s less chance of Celtic postponing this match with one factor being the huge inconvenience it would cause to supporters making their travel arrangements after the fixtures were confirmed.

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Let’s say that Celtic were playing Aberdeen that day and Aberdeen asked for a postponement – which would be fair enough under the new rules. However Celtic supporters booking ferries, flights and train tickets would be greatly impacted and not in a good way. So adjustments will need to be made and for instance Celtic doing all that they can to determine from the visiting opponent scheduled to play a European match, whether they wish to postpone the match.

Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 14 May 2025. The Celtic support. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

From a footballing perspective it makes plenty of sense but the practical difficult that could be caused must me minimised as much as possible.

Meanwhile, Russell Martin’s side must first overcome Panathinaikos, then could face either Benfica or Club Brugge, to advance to the Champions League play-offs. However, they might find themselves competing in the play-offs for either the Europa League or the Conference League.

If that scenario unfolds for theRangers, their scheduled away fixture against St Mirren can also be rescheduled.

Celtic Supporters at Pittodrie in May 2025. Aberdeen 1 Celtic 5. Photo The Celtic Star

Whether Celtic or any of the other Scottish sides competing in European qualifiers will choose to use this option is still uncertain, but they now have the freedom to decide for themselves which is a positive step from the SPFL from the footballing perspective.

Didn’t they allow the old Rangers to postpone a game against Gretna back in 2008?

Conor Spence

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