Celtic, Rangers Face Fixture Overhaul Due to Europa League and Sky Sports Selections

Scotland’s European participants will see several league fixtures shifted to Sundays as part of the SPFL’s latest scheduling changes. Celtic and Rangers are both competing in the revamped Europa League group stage after falling short in Champions League qualification, while Aberdeen are involved in the Conference League. With these European ties taking place on Thursdays, the league has moved a number of Premiership games back a day to allow recovery time.

Rangers’ visit to Livingston will now be played on Sunday, September 28 at 3pm on Sky Sports, just three days after their Europa League opener at home to Genk. Celtic’s home meeting with Motherwell has been delayed to Sunday, October 5, while their trip to Dundee has also been switched to a Sunday noon kick-off on October 19, also live on Sky. Aberdeen face similar adjustments, balancing their Conference League schedule with domestic duties.

Manager Jimmy Thelin’s side had previously postponed a match against Dundee United under the league’s new rules allowing extra preparation for European play-offs. That game has been rearranged for Tuesday, September 23. Hibernian used the same rule during their Conference League attempt, postponing their Falkirk clash, which will now be shown live on Sky Sports the same night.

Hibs’ first Edinburgh derby of the season against Hearts has been selected by Premier Sports for Saturday, October 4, with a 5.45pm evening kick-off. Championship fixtures are also affected, with BBC Scotland continuing to broadcast a match most Friday nights.

Key fixture changes include:

• Sept 23: Dundee Utd v Aberdeen, Falkirk v Hibs (both 7.45pm).
• Sept 27: Motherwell v Aberdeen (5.45pm, Premier Sports).
• Sept 28: Livingston v Rangers (3pm, Sky).
• Oct 4: Hearts v Hibs (5.45pm, Premier Sports); Queen of the South v Alloa (5.30pm, BBC ALBA).
• Oct 5: Aberdeen v Dundee, Celtic v Motherwell, Falkirk v Rangers (all 3pm).
• Oct 19: Dundee v Celtic (12 noon, Sky).
• Nov 9: Aberdeen v Motherwell, Dundee v Rangers (3pm); Celtic v Kilmarnock (4pm).
• Nov 30: Rangers v Falkirk (2pm), Hibs v Celtic, Livingston v Aberdeen (3pm).
• Dec 14: Aberdeen v Kilmarnock, Falkirk v Celtic, Rangers v Hibs (3pm).
• Dec 21: Celtic v Aberdeen (3pm).
• Jan 25: Hearts v Celtic, Rangers v Dundee (3pm).
• Feb 1: Celtic v Falkirk, Hibs v Rangers (3pm).