Celtic’s opponents in the Scottish Premiership title race have made the shared decision to leave Scotland in Scottish Cup semi-final week.
They’ll have the same destination country, too, as both head to Spain for a warm weather training camp ahead of the post-split phase of the season.
Celtic face St Mirren in the second semi-final at Hampden, kicking off at 2PM on 19 April. The first semi is a local derby between Dunfermline and Falkirk.
Martin O’Neill’s side are, therefore, the only team for whom a league-cup double is possible – but don’t hold your breath just yet.
Do you agree with Charlie Mulgrew, Celtic fans?
Very interesting take!
Hearts and Rangers will be watching Celtic’s semi-final from Spain
Derek McInnes’ side were eliminated from the competition at their first round of entry, losing on penalties at home to aforementioned semi-finalists Falkirk.
They had initially designated a trip to Dubai after their Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell, but the ongoing war in Iran forced them to rethink this.
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They will now travel to La Manga in Southeast Spain, to use a “world-class” facility previously used by Tony Bloom’s flagship club, Brighton.
Reports now say that Danny Rohl will also take his team to Spain in the same week, though their exact destination is unknown as of yet.
It was, of course, O’Neill’s Celts who eliminated Rangers from the competition in an extremely dramatic penalty shootout after a goalless draw at Ibrox.
The 74-year-old has now bettered Rohl in both cup competitions, having prevailed 3-1 after extra time in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Celtic faced St Mirren in the round after that game, falling to a disastrous 3-1 defeat in the final under Wilfried Nancy.
Things have changed since then, with both managers from that day now gone – but given some of the Hoops’ recent performances, no one will be treating the upcoming semi as a given.
Regardless, the symmetry between Celtic’s two title rivals’ plans is amusing.
How many points will Celtic end the season with?
Will it be enough to win the league? 😅
What will Celtic, Hearts and Rangers’ post-split fixtures look like?
If the set-up for the upcoming post-split fixtures favours anyone, it favours Celtic.
The Hoops will have three home games in their last five matches, with two of them against their title rivals.
Current league leaders Hearts will be due three away games and two at home. Only Rangers have hosted the Jambos twice out of the current top six, giving the league a wide selection of away games for Derek McInnes’ side.
Rangers are also due three away games, meaning that the Ibrox side will be travelling to the Falkirk Stadium, Fir Park or Easter Road for a third time.
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