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Hearts and Celtic given potential final-day title decider

Celtic to host Heart of Midlothian in potential final-day title decider as the Scottish Premiership's post-split fixtures are revealed.

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Hearts and Celtic given potential final-day title decider
Source: BBC Sport

Lawrence Shankland, James Tavernier and Callum McGregor hope to captain their sides to the title

Heart of Midlothian and Celtic face a potential, final-day title decider in Glasgow on Saturday, 16 May after the Scottish Professional Football League announced the Premiership's post-split fixtures.

The 12-team top flight divides into two sections of six after this coming weekend's 33rd set of fixtures, with Rangers the other side involved in a three-team race for the title.

The SPFL normally tries to avoid what could often be a potential Old Firm title decider because of policing issues and this season's final Glasgow derby, with reigning champions Celtic entertaining Rangers, has been slotted for Sunday, 10 May - the third last set of fixtures.

But Hearts have upset the applecart this season and Edinburgh's surprise long-time leaders open their post-split schedule with their derby away to Hibernian on Sunday, 26 April.

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Derek McInnes' side, whose lead over Rangers was reduced to a point at the weekend and are now just three clear of Celtic, entertain the Ibrox side on Monday, 4 May.

Rangers' final game of the league season is a third visit to Falkirk, who have one more home game than all the other clubs because of a fixture imbalance due to them being expected to have finished in the bottom half of the table.

John McGlynn's side will also host Hibs for a third time and travel to Celtic Park and Tynecastle for a third time.

In that bottom half, where five teams could potentially face relegation, bottom of the table Livingston have one extra away game and one less at home.

The final bottom-six fixtures are on Sunday, 17 May, when Dundee will host Aberdeen, Kilmarnock visit Livingston and St Mirren entertain Dundee United.

After this weekend, the Premiership has a two-week hiatus for international fixtures and Scottish Cup semi-finals before resuming on 25 April, when Celtic entertain Falkirk in the top half, while Aberdeen host Kilmarnock and Livingston visit St Mirren.

The following day, Rangers host Motherwell, while United host the final Dundee derby.

The remaining fixtures will be staged over the weekends of 2 and 3 May, 9 and 10 May, the midweek of 12 and 13 May, with the top six finishing on 16 May and the bottom half the following day.

When Hearts visit Celtic Park on the final day of the top half, it will be 28 years to the day since the Edinburgh side beat Rangers to lift the Scottish Cup at the same venue while the national stadium at Hampden Park was being renovated.

Premiership top-six fixtures

Rangers v Motherwell (15:00)

Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian (16:30)

Falkirk v Motherwell (15:00)

Hibernian v Celtic (12:00)

Heart of Midlothian v Rangers (17:30)

Falkirk v Hibernian (15:00)

Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian (20:00)

Heart of Midlothian v Falkirk

Celtic v Heart of Midlothian

Premiership bottom-six fixtures

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock (15:00)

St Mirren v Livingston (15:00)

Dundee United v Dundee (14:00)

Livingston v Aberdeen (19:45)

Kilmarnock v Dundee United

Dundee United v Livingston

St Mirren v Dundee United

Follow your Scottish Premiership club's fixtures

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