Celtic’s Scottish Premiership fixtures for the forthcoming campaign entered the public domain yesterday as 2024/25 draws closer.
Normality is starting to rear its head following a long few weeks of waiting for Bhoys-related excitement. International football has dominated the headlines due to EURO 2024 and Copa America taking centre stage, but the announcement has generated mass excitement among supporters.
There are some key dates to remember, something for all fans to jot down in their diary as Celtic prepare to return to the domestic scene. Kilmarnock travel to Parkhead for Flag Day on August 4th; meanwhile, the first Glasgow Derby has been pencilled in for August 31st.
A rare home fixture on Boxing Day is scheduled against Motherwell, and the corresponding game against Rangers falls on January 2nd at Ibrox. March 15th sees the second encounter with Philippe Clement’s outfit on home soil, followed by another post-split bout.
Some tasty games are now set in stone as Celtic vie to retain the Scottish Premiership title. Brendan Rodgers will also be happy with one particular detail of the calendar after flagging up a grievance last year.
Brendan Rodgers will be happy with SPFL decision
Last year, Rodgers made a point of citing some unfairness regarding Celtic’s usual post-Christmas schedule.
Incredibly, this is the first time Celtic will have played at home on Boxing Day since 2010. You need to go back to 2014 for their last clash directly after Santa has come and gone — a 0-0 draw at home to Ross County under Ronny Deila.
Rodgers claimed in October 2023 that the pencilling in of festive fixtures has been unfair to Celtic supporters, stating his belief that either the club have been ‘very unlucky’ or someone has been ‘making tricks behind the scenes’ to have come up with such an unusual schedule.
Referencing the Bhoys having to travel to Dundee on the 26th (3-0 victory), he said [STV News]: “I saw that. It’s not ideal and we would have preferred it to stay as it was. Especially at that time of the year. It’s interesting, I think the last seven years have been away at that period of the season.
“Either we’re very, very unlucky to be drawn away or someone’s making tricks behind the scenes. Seven years on the spin this club’s been drawn away at that time of the season. Now that’s not right for supporters. So hopefully, they can look at that going forward.”
It is worth noting that some of the hardcore Celtic away support hold a special appreciation for away clashes at this time of year. After spending time with their families, they can continue the festive spirit by travelling on the road and breaking out some of their entertaining Christmas-themed songs at away venues.
However, it will be nice to have a chance for everyone to come together at Parkhead on Boxing Day, and hopefully, the Motherwell match can be a great celebration on a larger scale in Glasgow’s east end.