Upstarts Falkirk have delivered one of the Scottish Premiership's most remarkable stories this season, but their success has created a complex scheduling puzzle for league organizers.
After securing back-to-back promotions, Falkirk were widely expected to bring an entertaining style of football to the top flight under manager John McGlynn. Few predicted, however, that the newly promoted side would secure a top-six finish—a feat they accomplished with a victory over Motherwell on Saturday. The result keeps them in contention for European qualification through two different pathways.
Yet this fairytale rise presents a significant dilemma for the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) as it prepares to announce the post-split fixtures. Here’s why the league faces a logistical challenge.
The Fixture Imbalance Explained
In the Scottish Premiership, the league splits after 33 matches. The top six teams then play each other once more in the final five rounds, while the bottom six follow the same format. All clubs have one fixture remaining this weekend before the split takes effect.
The confirmed top six for the post-split phase are: Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Falkirk, Motherwell, and Rangers.
After 33 games, Hearts, Rangers, Motherwell, and Falkirk have each played 17 home matches and 16 away. Under normal circumstances, this would mean they should have two home games and three away fixtures after the split.
Meanwhile, Celtic and Hibernian have played 16 at home and 17 away, which would typically entitle them to three home games and two away matches in the final phase.
The Scheduling Conundrum
Complications arise due to the need to balance derby matches and the high stakes of the title race. For instance:
- Hearts are likely to face away trips to both Hibernian and Celtic.
- Rangers can expect to travel to Celtic and Hearts.
However, Hearts have already hosted Falkirk and Motherwell twice this season, meaning one of those clubs could face a third league visit to Tynecastle.
Similarly, Celtic will host one of Hibernian, Falkirk, or Motherwell—all teams that have already played at Celtic Park twice this campaign.
Rangers present another wrinkle: they have hosted Hibernian, Falkirk, and Motherwell only once each, but with just two home games remaining post-split, they might need to make a third trip to one of those opponents.
A Potential Solution
The most equitable resolution may involve granting Falkirk an additional home game, bringing their total to 20 for the season. This would see them host Hibernian, Motherwell, and Rangers for a third time, while making third visits to Celtic Park and Tynecastle.
Such an arrangement would ensure the current top four clubs play each other home and away twice in the league, maintaining competitive balance while acknowledging Falkirk’s extraordinary ascent.