CELTIC could be ordered to play a Betfred League Cup semi-final fewer than 48 hours after competing in the Europa League.
The SPFL have confirmed the dates for the two last-four ties as Saturday October 27 and Sunday October 28.
Brendan Rodgers’ men will be in Germany on the Thursday to play Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig in the third of their European ties after beating beating Rosenborg 1-0 on Thursday and facing RB Salzburg in Austria on October 4.
The Hoops can cement a place in the semi-finals of the competition they have won for the past two seasons if they overcome St Johnstone on Wednesday at McDiarmid Park where the draw for the next stage will be made live on BT Sport afterwards.
It’s a scenario that would leave the league chiefs asking the holders to return from Leipzig on Thursday night or Friday morning and play at Hampden on the Saturday. Of course, if there is no involvement from Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side – who also play Ayr United in their League Cup quarter-final in midweek – the Parkhead outfit could take the Sunday slot.
If both Glasgow clubs get through – and are nor drawn against each other – a massive dilemma will be presented to the organisers.
Options available to SPFL operations director Iain Blair are limited by the fact BT Sport have a contract to broadcast both semi-finals live.
A full programme of Premiership fixtures on Wednesday, October 31, rules out the possibility of moving the semi-finals back 24 hours.
