Sky Sports explain why Celtic’s kick-off time at Hearts has been rearranged

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Celtic fans are used to fixtures being moved for television coverage.

It’s par for the course for the Scottish champions. Sky Sports and Premier Sports have final say whenever Celtic’s fixtures are changed despite the small sums of cash that are paid out.

Celtic’s Europa League campaign meant that at least nine of the Parkhead club’s Scottish Premiership ties were moved to a Sunday due to Thursday night football.

And now, Sky Sports have flexed their muscles and moved Celtic’s original kick-off time for their Tynecastle clash with Hearts at the end of October.

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Sky Sports believe Hearts vs Celtic could be a ‘top-of-the-table’ clash

With Celtic and Hearts both virtually neck-and-neck at the top of the league table, Sky Sports have seen the Tynecastle clash between the two as a big box office draw.

So much so that they have now decided to screen the game live and have moved the kick-off time to accommodate their Sunday schedule.

Sky Sports said on their website, “Another Scottish Premiership game has been added to the Sky Sports schedule, and it could be a top-of-the-table clash.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	5	4	1	0	8	1	7	13
2	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	5	4	1	0	12	6	6	13
3	HibernianHibernian	4	1	3	0	8	7	1	6
4	St MirrenSt Mirren	5	1	3	1	4	4	0	6

“Hearts will host Celtic on Sunday, October 26, with the game kicking off at 12pm.

“Both sides are unbeaten in the league so far this season with Brendan Rodgers’ side top on goal difference.”

Other Celtic Sunday fixtures that Sky Sports could move

With Celtic now playing most of their fixtures in the first half of this season on a Sunday, here are other fixtures, with original kick-off times, the broadcasters could change to show live on TV.

• Sunday, November 30th: Hibs vs Celtic (3pm)
• Sunday, December 14th: Falkirk vs Celtic (3pm)
• Sunday, January 25th: ?Hearts vs Celtic (3pm)

It is highly likely that all three fixtures could be moved by either Sky or Premier Sports especially if the supposed ‘title challenge’ from Hearts to Celtic continues.