Hearts and Celtic could be on a collision course to meet in a potential Premiership title decider on the final day of the season after the SPFL published the post-split fixtures.
It is Celtic who would hold home advantage, with the showdown at Parkhead to take place on Saturday, May 16, with a 12.30pm kick-off.
A thrilling three-way title race will see Rangers travel to take on Falkirk on the same day, with that match kicking off at the same time.
Daily Mail Sport understands that Sky Sports were keen for two of the title rivals to go toe-to-toe on the final day in order to get bang for their buck and maximise their TV audience.
That would indicate that Celtic versus Hearts is likely to be the preferred option, but the final decision will be shaped by what teams are still in contention come the final day. They have also not ruled out the possibility of showing both matches on the final weekend.
In what is proving to be a season for the ages, the three title rivals are covered by only three points with six matches left to play.
Celtic host Hearts on the final day but the Bhoys lost the corresponding fixture 2-1 in December
Rangers travel to Tynecastle on Bank Holiday Monday where they lost out 2-1 in December
Hearts are currently top of the table, as they have been for the majority of the campaign, with Derek McInnes’ side one point ahead of Rangers and three ahead of Celtic.
Hearts will have two home fixtures, against Rangers and Falkirk, and face three away matches against Hibs, Motherwell and Celtic.
Rangers will also have two home matches against Motherwell and Hibs, with their three away matches coming against Celtic, Hearts and Falkirk.
Celtic will have three home matches against Falkirk, Rangers and Hearts, with their two away games coming against Hibs and Motherwell.
The SPFL had been locked in talks with all relevant stakeholders over the past couple of weeks to try and lay out a roadmap for the post-split fixtures.
Daily Mail Sport understands that there was a consensus among all parties that any derbies between Celtic and Rangers or Hearts and Hibs were to be avoided on the final day.
Police Scotland had raised serious concerns about the potential implications those matches could present, particularly with regards to a trophy presentation.
It was therefore agreed that a showdown between Celtic and Hearts on the final day would be the best scenario, with Sky Sports also playing a key role in discussions as the league’s primary broadcaster.
Sky Sports have only partially confirmed what matches they will be showing live, with TV plans for the final two rounds of fixtures to be confirmed in due course.
The unique scenario of what has unfolded this season, with three teams competing to win the title, raised a multitude of issues around the scheduling.
But, with the fixtures now released, fans can now start looking forward to what promises to be a thrilling climax to the season.
The action will get under way on the weekend of April 25 and 26, with Sky Sports showing a blockbuster Edinburgh derby between Hearts and Hibs at Easter Road on the Sunday.
Rangers travel to Parkhead in the middle of the split, they won back at their rivals in January
That follows their coverage of Celtic against Falkirk on the Saturday, with Rangers kicking off their post-split fixtures at home to Motherwell.
Rangers will travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts in the second round of fixtures on Monday May 4, with a 5.30pm kick-off on what is a bank holiday.
In terms of the bottom six, Premier Sports will show three matches during the run-in, starting with the Dundee derby on Sunday, April 26.
Premier Sports will also show Aberdeen’s Friday night trip to Livingston on May 1, with a 7.45pm kick-off, before rounding off their coverage with Livingston versus Kilmarnock on the final day on May 17.
As per the norm over recent seasons, it is Sky Sports who would then hold the rights to show both legs of the Premiership play-off.
Although much of the focus will inevitably be on a thrilling title race, the bottom of the table also holds much intrigue.
Livingston are currently bottom of the table and all but relegated, but four teams above them – Aberdeen, Dundee, Kilmarnock and St Mirren – are all involved in a scrap to avoid the play-off spot.
Kilmarnock currently occupy 11th place, three points back from St Mirren and Aberdeen.
Bu it is Aberdeen who have been sinking like a stone over recent weeks. Stephen Robinson’s Dons now have six games left to save their season.
Calum Beattie, the SPFL’s chief operating officer, said: ‘Following the weekend’s results, we are delighted to publish the post-split fixtures and the majority of broadcast selections to allow clubs and supporters to make plans for what promises to be a fantastic few weeks of football with so much at stake across the William Hill Premiership.
‘This has been a season like no other, with so many talking points and unrivalled drama. We would like to thank Sky Sports and Premier Sports for showcasing the very best of our game, with more live games than ever before and look forward to watching all the action unfold.’
Gary Hughes, director of football at Sky Sports, said: ‘This is crunch time in the Scottish Premiership title race. It’s been one of the great stories of the football season so far.
‘With everyone set to play each other again, there promises to be plenty more drama to come. Sky Sports is excited to bring more post-split matches than ever before, providing unrivalled coverage and expert analysis of the run-in.’
