17 May 2026 15:11:12
Hi all,
Been observing for a while and finally registered to post.
Something I considered and not sure this has been covered before regarding post split fixtures .
Since there always seems to be a fall out and conspiracy on who plays who in what order for the 5 post split fixtures, why don't they announce it at the start of the season when the full season fixture list gets announced?
You don't need to know what teams are in the top 6 as you just use numbers 1-6 to represent league positions after matchday 33. ie gameweek 34: 1v5, 2v3 etc
That could all be done before a ball is even kicked in August then they can sort the home/away at the time of the split?
Am I being daft or would that work?
17 May 2026 15:30:48
The problem is that policing of matches is the number one priority when it comes to fixtures.
I don't know if it were actually possible, but none of the top 3 should have played each other in the final game, imo.
It did not matter with us in the end, but that was an advantage to both teams involved knowing what they would need from that match.
I wouldn't be wasting too much energy on it as it made no difference to us in any event. And it may not even have been possible.
17 May 2026 15:32:19
RFC, it has merit but would depend how many times u have played a particular team away from home.
17 May 2026 15:32:56
I think it is because OF fans can't behave. They don't want to have a game between us which would settle the destination of the title. If fans could behave, I think they could do that.
Like the idea, but think that is the reason behind it. The cup game at Ibrox recently seems to support the fact neither can behave. Now, over to they were worse than us arguments.
17 May 2026 15:42:07
Thanks for taking the time to reply, guys. Had just crossed my mind when thinking of the upcoming World Cup when teams will know their potential path to the final based on where they finish in each pot.
As you say, if only people could behave (which will never happen). So won't waste anymore thoughts on it. ??
17 May 2026 16:08:28
RFC, also both clubs can't play at home on the same day; same in Edinburgh and Dundee, I imagine. So, until final 6 is decided, you don't know how to plot that, and also, as John says, how many times you have played H and A against each.
17 May 2026 16:30:17
I would get rid of the split. Just play everyone 4 times.
17 May 2026 16:45:30
I would extend the league in a way that would allow it to be split after 2 fixtures. Then, play remaining home and away in the group you are split into.
I have always thought that the biggest detriment to our game is that the small league is too tight.
I feel it leads to ultra-competitive teams scrapping for points, which can be the difference between relegation and European qualification.
I think we'd see more football if we had more of a mid table. More youth involved as well.
17 May 2026 16:57:50
Tommy, agree. I would go as far to have a bigger league of 18 teams and just play home and away once each. I think it would make more teams try to play football and also play young players if you take away the threat of relegation. However, Sky are never going to go for that.
17 May 2026 17:08:46
That would be ideal for me also, but agree it's unrealistic regarding broadcasters as, in the main, they are only interested in Old Firm games.
I actually think that your way would give a better chance for teams like Hearts to challenge on a regular basis. Having to play 12 games against the Old Firm means I don't see their challenge being replicated anytime soon.
17 May 2026 17:13:49
Sorry, 8 games*.
17 May 2026 17:15:27
I worked for a small security company while at University. We did the security at Parkhead and Tynecastle. Those games alternate weekends, so the same security staff can be used at both stadiums. It might be different now.
I think Rangers and Celtic try to avoid home games on the same weekend too.
Things like this need to be considered after the split. So you can't make definite plans at the start of the season. The police and security companies need to be involved, especially now with fans invading pitches.
17 May 2026 18:00:54
I am in favour of a league of 15. Everyone plays each other home and away. Once everyone has got through the 28 fixtures, the league splits into 3 groups of 5, creating another 8 additional fixtures to be played home and away.
The benefits would be having more clubs to send young players out to gain top flight experience, and would hopefully also encourage more clubs to adopt a more attractive brand of football, given the cut throat nature of the current structure.
17 May 2026 19:06:09
The structure should be 3 leagues of 20 teams. 3 go up, and 3 go down. It's that simple.
17 May 2026 19:39:55
Rohl, I agree no need for 4 leagues in Scotland, 3 leagues or even 2 bigger leagues, but I also agree with others will never happen too much money relying on OF games.
17 May 2026 21:28:53
There is always an issue with the split although more often than not a particular team seems to enjoy the rub of the green when it comes to it. Hearts should have played at home in their last game. And all that would have required was reversing the fixtures of games 4 and 5. That said, the split has often created an imbalance.
I favour a 14 team league splitting after 26 games, then top 6 and bottom 8 can play home and away again. Extra games for bottom 8 to counter no Old Firm games and winner of bottom 8 section to play off with team in conference league position for that place.