Celtic to play Premiership clash LIVE on Sky Sports at 3pm on a Saturday as Hoops end historic TV blackout
HOOPING IT UP Celtic to play Premiership clash LIVE on Sky Sports at 3pm on a Saturday as Hoops end historic TV blackout
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CELTIC fans will be able to watch their team live in a Scottish Premiership match at 3pm on a Saturday on Sky Sports during the festive period in what's a notable break from the norm.
The Hoops will travel to take on Livingston on Saturday December 27, with a 3pm kick off.
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The Celtic players in the huddle
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers before the William Hill Premiership match
Credit: PA
But the match has been given a 3pm kick off and will be aired live on Sky Sports, despite the fact that it's directly up against three other Scottish Premiership matches.
One of those is Rangers' home clash with Motherwell, while Dundee take on Falkirk and St Mirren play host to KIlmarnock.
The other two games in the Scottish Premiership that weekend will both be aired live.
The Edinburgh derby between Hibs and hearts has already been published with a 12.30pm kick-off on Sky Sports and will be followed by Livingston v Celtic, live on Sky Sports at 3.00pm.
Premier Sports will show Aberdeen v Dundee United at 5.45pm to complete an unprecedented day of back-to-back televised top-flight Scottish football.
It's unclear exactly at this stage what the ramifications are for the blackout
Under Uefa's article 48, the 3pm blackout applies when 50 per cent of games in the top two divisions kick off at 3pm on a Saturday.
England and Scotland currently the only two countries in Europe who voluntarily sign up to adhere to the restriction.
It has been in force since 1960 and is designed to protect attendances at lower league clubs.
But it's possible that the fact the Championship takes place on Boxing Day and the likely moving of Premiership matches in Europe could allow teams to take advantage of the 50 per cent loophole.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen have officially postponed their Week 3 clash with Dundee Utd to assist them in Europa League playoff action - and Hibs will follow suit when it comes to their meeting with Falkirk if they can make it that far.
Rangers could still do likewise with their week 3 visit to St Mirren, but have yet to confirm if that will be the case - although SkySports have committed to screening that match live.
The SPFL wrote in a statement: "Two of the TV selections in round three are subject to change due to the new policy to assist SPFL clubs in UEFA competition, which allows clubs involved in play-off matches to postpone their round three fixtures, without requiring the approval of their opponents.
"Falkirk v Hibernian has been chosen by Premier Sports for live coverage on Saturday August 23, kick-off 5.45pm, but following a request from Hibernian will be postponed if they reach the play-off stages of the Europa League or Conference League.
"Sky Sports have selected St Mirren v Rangers for live broadcast in round three. The details of that fixture, which remains subject to possible postponement, will be confirmed when it is clear what UEFA competition Rangers will be participating in at the time.
"Dundee United v Aberdeen on Saturday August 23 has today been postponed following a request by Aberdeen, who will be participating in the Europa League play-offs."
Full list of latest confirmed TV selections
Friday August 22
William Hill Championship
Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic
Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm
Saturday August 23
William Hill Premiership
Falkirk v Hibernian
Live on Premier Sports, kick-off 5.45pm
Note: Will be postponed if Hibernian are involved in the play-offs of a UEFA competition
Sunday August 31
William Hill Premiership
Dundee v Dundee United
Live on Premier Sports, kick-off 2.00pm
Saturday December 27
William Hill Premiership
Livingston v Celtic
Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 3.00pm
Saturday December 27
William Hill Premiership
Aberdeen v Dundee United
Live on Premier Sports, kick-off 5.45pm
Tuesday December 30
William Hill Premiership
Motherwell v Celtic
Live on Premier Sports, kick-off 8.00pm
Saturday January 3
William Hill Premiership
Dundee United v Dundee
Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 3.00pm
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