Celtic’s Premiership meeting with St Johnstone has been postponed after the Hoops exercised their right to move the fixture ahead of their Champions League play-off.
Under rules approved by the SPFL Board in April 2025, clubs involved in the play-off round of a UEFA competition can postpone their third league fixture of the season without requiring the agreement of their opponents.
The policy was introduced to give Scottish clubs the best possible preparation before decisive European ties.
Celtic are guaranteed to be involved in the Champions League play-offs, so their trip to St Johnstone has already been called off.
The SPFL said: “As was the case last season, clubs involved in the play-offs of a UEFA competition have the right to postpone their William Hill Premiership round three fixture without the need for the agreement of their opponents.
“This policy was approved by the SPFL Board in April 2025, following a recommendation from the Competitions Working Group, to support clubs aiming to reach the league phase of UEFA competitions.”
All five Scottish clubs competing in Europe this season submitted requests before Friday’s deadline.
Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Motherwell and Hibernian all asked for their scheduled league matches to be moved if they are involved in UEFA play-off ties.
Rangers’ match against St Mirren has also been postponed, while fixtures involving Hearts, Motherwell and Hibernian will be moved only if those clubs reach the relevant play-off rounds.
The SPFL added: “The deadline for 2026/27 was today, Friday July 24, and the SPFL can confirm that all five clubs competing in Europe this season – Celtic, Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian – have requested a postponement of their league fixture.”
Celtic’s rearranged game against St Johnstone will be played either during the exclusive Champions League midweek on September 8 or 9, or the exclusive Europa League midweek on September 15 or 16.
The final date will be confirmed after the UEFA league-phase draws at the end of August.
The postponement gives Martin O’Neill’s side a free weekend between the two legs of their Champions League play-off, removing a domestic trip from an already demanding schedule.
Celtic’s focus during that period will be firmly on securing a place in the league phase of Europe’s top competition.
