As Celtic push through the closing stretch of a tight title race with Rangers and Hearts, attention has shifted to what comes next: the Premiership split.
It always creeps into the conversation around this point, but this season it feels sharper. The margins are thinner, and every fixture from here carries weight.
After 33 games, the league splits into two. The top six face each other once, the bottom six do the same.
Five games, all against sides around you, with the title, Europe and relegation all on the line.
The balancing act comes down to home and away numbers from the first phase. Clubs that have had 17 home games would expect two more; those with 16 are likely to get three.
It does not always land cleanly.
Celtic are heading for another one of those awkward quirks. They are set to host one of Hibs, Falkirk or Motherwell post-split, despite all three already making two trips to Celtic Park this season.
It is not ideal, but it is part of the system clubs signed up to.
Before any of that, Martin O’Neill’s side still have work to do. A trip to Dundee comes first, then St Mirren visit Glasgow in the final match before the split is locked in.
There is no room for Celtic to drift. Not with Rangers and Hearts within reach.
The split itself continues to divide opinion, but there are still strong voices backing it.
Journalist Stephen McGowan is firmly in favour. He said (BBC Scottish Football Podcast):
“Oh yeah, absolutely no question [keep it]. I think it is the difference between a really tedious season sometimes and one which is brimming over with issues and excitement, so no question.”
Former Hearts and Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson sees it the same way.
“Yes, guaranteed. Football is about entertainment. We’re going to have some massive games at both ends of the table this year.”
The system has been in place since the league expanded to 12 teams in 2000. Without it, clubs would be staring at a 44-game league campaign.
Instead, the split was brought in to keep the calendar workable and, just as importantly, to sharpen the run-in. It has done that.
There are still complaints. Fixture imbalance, repeat trips to the same grounds, and the long-standing gripe that a side in the bottom six can outscore one in the top half but still finish below them.
None of that is new, and none of it is likely to change soon. What is clear is that this year’s split will land hard.
It begins on April 25, just days after Celtic face St Mirren in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
By then, the picture will be clearer.
For now, Celtic have two games to make sure they enter that final phase exactly where they need to be.
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