Why Celtic vs Rangers date won't change as rivals set for Saturday showdown ahead of Champions League kick-off

The diaries were out on Friday for football fans after the SPFL released the 2022/23 fixture list.

For the ardent supporter, so much planning revolves around when their team is playing and no doubt it was a busy day of scribbling down events.

But now the schedule is out for the new season, the next step is waiting for the announcement of the live TV fixtures.

Matches are of course all subject to change with Sky Sports so far only picking their selections for the opening weekend.

For Celtic and Rangers fans in particular, the fixtures can only be pencilled in before they ask the boss for that day off or supporters try to book that cheaper advance travel with the rivals picked for the majority of games on the box.

And that is certainly true when it comes to the meeting between the two with the four derby games one of the biggest factors in the Scottish Premiership TV deal.

The first has been scheduled for Saturday, September 3 at 3pm on just weekend six of the league campaign.

But the match at Parkhead is certain to be selected for live TV coverage. But while the kick-off time is highly likely to change the date might not.

That’s because the following midweek is the first match day of the Champions League group stage – a week earlier than usual to accommodate the unique situation of a winter World Cup.

Celtic are in the group stage and Rangers will be hoping to join them by getting through the qualifiers.

And the prospect of either of them playing in UEFA’s premier competition on Tuesday, September 6 rules out the prospect of a Sunday showdown.

This was the case back in 2016 when Celtic were due to go to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona on the Tuesday night, meaning the derby had to take place on the Saturday with the