Ex-FIFA official explains why Hearts are playing Celtic away on final day of Premiership season

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Credit: Imago Tue 7 April 2026 17:15, UK Hearts’ away clash against Celtic on the final day of the Scottish Premiership season has likely been planned weeks in advance.That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that television contracts and security issues would have been a top priority when planning ahead.Derek McInnes’ side have a very real chance of lifting the club’s first title since the 1959-60 season, but are facing serious pressure from both Old Firm clubs – Rangers and Celtic.The Jambos still hold a one-point lead at the top of the table, and with the post-split fixtures now confirmed, Hearts may have to beat the Hoops on the final day to claim the Scottish Premiership trophy. ⚽ Celtic Matchday ⚽ >Team news, line-ups, expert previews and verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Hoops fixture. VISIT THE CELTIC MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Hearts must face Celtic away on the final dayUnderstandably, Hearts supporters are disappointed not to be taking on Celtic at Tynecastle Park, with the potential of lifting their trophy in front of a packed-out stadium of their own fans.Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “I can understand the disappointment of Hearts fans, who want the opportunity to be at their home ground if they are to lift the trophy.“However, fixtures are often set weeks in advance to satisfy the television contracts, and of course, any security issues.

The SFA has little room to make any changes to the fixture list at this time of the season.”HeartsRangersCelticHibernian (A)Motherwell (H)Falkirk (H)Rangers (H)Hearts (A)Hibernian (A)Motherwell (A)Celtic (A)Rangers (H)Falkirk (H)Hibernian (H)Motherwell (A)Celtic (A)Falkirk (A)Hearts (H)With five matches remaining each, it is really anyone’s title at this point, but the Jambos will have extra incentive to end their long, long wait for a league title, having not won it since 1960.How have Hearts fans reacted to the news?To put it simply, fans are absolutely furious.Rather than watching their team potentially lift the league title at their own stadium, they will have to travel to Celtic Park, predictably with a much smaller allocation than many would want.team top of the league traditionally get the last game of the season at home until it’s us 😂😂— James 🇱🇻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@JimmyJambo51) April 7, 2026 View Tweet This is just shameful. Hardly any Hearts fans are likely to get tickets for the Celtic game.

Isn't there a convention that the team at the top when the split happens plays at home on the last day?— Gordon Lawrie (@thesaucers) April 7, 2026 View Tweet This a god damn joke. Chance to make history and only going to let 600 fans see it— Liam Telfer (@LiamTelfer5) April 7, 2026 View Tweet It is easy to understand why supporters are labelling the fixtures as “shameful” and “a joke,” but that is the reality now, with Hackett clearly explaining why such decisions have been made.There is nothing clubs can do other than focus on each game as it comes, with the hope of celebrating the trophy back at Tynecastle once the final game is over. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 SPFL Insider Access Direct access to our dedicated Scottish hubs: Real-time intelligence from the heart of the SPFL