Rangers vs St Johnstone set to be moved to Sunday NIGHT as SPFL solve fixture headache due to Great Scottish Run
Rangers' clash with St Johnstone at Ibrox next month is set to move to Sunday evening as the SPFL move to solve a fixture headache.
The Light Blues have confirmed they will return to Ibrox after relocating to Hampden for the opening weeks of the season due to building delays. The Premier Sports Cup clash with Dundee on September 21 has been scheduled as the big homecoming, although the Copland Road stand will remain closed until works are completed.
But the Premiership clash with Craig Levein's Saints two weeks later has proven to be problematic for league schedulers. Philippe Clement's side host Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday 3 October, meaning the meeting with the Perth outfit will need to be moved back to Sunday 6 October. However, that puts the Rangers vs St Johnstone game on a collision course with the Great Scottish Run set to take place on the same day, which will see competitors take part in either a half marathon or a 10km run around Glasgow.
Starting off at 8.30, staggered start times will see runners of various paces and abilities taking off until 11.37 am. The route includes all major access roads to Ibrox, as well as the Kingston Bridge, meaning those roads will be closed for a significant part of the day.
That means a 3pm kick-off is a logistical nightmare and Record Sport understands the game will be pushed back to 5pm or even later at 8pm. It's less than ideal for home fans who have already been inconvenienced by playing travelling to Hampden and Saints fans making the journey from Perth will also be put out.