What’s the split? Why Hearts-Celtic finale sparks drama and controversy

Impossible to perfect, or predict, the Premiership’s post-split fixtures will see Hearts go to Celtic on the final day for a potential title-decider
“This has been a season like no other,” declared Calum Beating, the chief operating officer of the SPFL, and there can be no accusation of hyperbole there.

With six rounds of the Scottish Premiership remaining, there remains a three-way title fight.

Hearts , bidding to win their first league title 1960, sit one point ahead of Rangers , who themselves are just two points clear of Celtic .

A first league title outside of Glasgow’s Old Firm since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen, in 1985, remains a distinct possibility, even if the leaders have seen their advantage reduced in recent weeks .

Few would be bold enough to predict what happens next.

But the picture has now become a little clearer.

After the 33rd round of the season this weekend, where Hearts will host fourth-placed Motherwell at Tynecastle and Celtic and Rangers face St Mirren and Falkirk, respectively, the Premiership will split in two.

The top six teams in the table will play out their remaining five fixtures of the season among themselves, with the bottom six clubs doing the same.

The SPFL does this for a few reasons.

It allows a 12-team league to fulfil a 38-game campaign, for one, without stretching the season to 44 games in an already-congested calendar.

But it also injects drama into the final weeks of the season where, in theory, everything will be decided.

It ensures those going for the title, involved in the race for Europe, or scrapping away in the relegation battle, play games against each other.

It is great for supporters, as well as TV.

But the Premiership has not staged a three-way title race, nor, as Beating implied, seen an outside challenger since the split was introduced in 2000/01.

For weeks, there has been speculation about how the SPFL would determine the run-in, navigating what could be a logistical headache while also ensuring a grandstand conclusion to the season.

And that is exactly what has been delivered, following the confirmation that Hearts will go to defending champions Celtic on the final day of the season in a potential title decider, while Rangers take the trip to Falkirk.

The decision to send Hearts to Celtic on the final day, Saturday May 16, could raise some eyebrows.

Celtic and Rangers, who have seen title races between themselves go down to the final weekend of the season in the past, are not allowed to play each other on the final day due to policing issues.

Police Scotland determined that there could not be a city derby on the final day when there could also be a trophy presentation.

Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian (1630)
Heart of Midlothian v Rangers (1730)
Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian (2000)
Heart of Midlothian v Falkirk (2000)
Celtic v Heart of Midlothian (1230)
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