SPL: Old Firm to shape up on Saturdays
The Scottish Premier League today restored the Old Firm battles back to the more traditional place of Saturday afternoons.
Champions Celtic and arch rivals Rangers will clash for the first time at Ibrox in front of the Sky TV cameras on September 29 at 1pm and will continue in the same slot throughout the campaign.
The decision by the SPL has been well received by the Old Firm and is also set to get the same favourable response from both sets of fans.
A Celtic spokeswomen said: ‘‘Celtic Football Club welcomes a return to the more traditional Saturday fixture for the Old Firm game.
‘‘The club is delighted that many of the fans who have to travel some considerable distance to support Celtic will have the opportunity to attend the season’s biggest games.’’
Rangers director Campbell Ogilvie agreed: ‘‘Rangers Football Club is delighted with the return of Old Firm games to Saturdays for live BSkyB fixtures.’’
The decision to move the Old Firm forward falls in line with the move to play all SPL matches on a Saturday and move the live televised games forward from late on Sunday evening to the day before, at 5.35pm.
SPL director of finance and administration Iain Blair said: ‘‘After close consultation with Strathclyde Police, BSkyB and the clubs involved, the decision to bring the Old Firm games in line with the Saturday fixture card was made.
‘‘BSkyB will broadcast three of the four Old Firm derbies with the other shown live on BBC, on a date to be confirmed.
‘‘In the event of Celtic and Rangers participating in the UEFA Cup first round their first derby of the season will be moved to 1pm on Sunday September 30.
‘‘We are delighted to be able to all-but complete the return to the tradition of Saturday football and are sure the move will be welcomed by both clubs and fans alike.’’
