Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers confused over Scottish football post-split fixtures
Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney could be back on Saturday to face Hamilton
Friday 6 April 2018 17:20, UK
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers admitted he is still getting use to the idea of the post-split fixtures in the Scottish Premiership.
The SPFL said the full list of fixtures will be announced next week after the Premiership top and bottom six were confirmed following Motherwell's 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen on Tuesday.
Post-split fixtures have operated in the league since the 2000-01 season, which was introduced as a way to prevent the need for a 44-game schedule. However, Rodgers says he still finds the format "strange".
Live Scottish Cup Football
He said: "I am still confused by it all to be honest. It is something I had my first experience of last year and I can't quite work it out.
"It seems to me to be a bit more difficult than what it should be. Play two home games and two away games and let that be it.
"I find it strange that the seventh-placed team can end up with more points than the sixth-placed team.
"But I understand maybe for tele and for everything else there needs to be something creative but I don't quite get it."
The first round of post-split matches will take place on the weekend of April 21/22 and will conclude the weekend of May 12/13.
Rodgers revealed Kieran Tierney has returned to training following a calf injury which has kept him out for the last three games.
Celtic face Hamilton on Sunday in the league but due to the Accies' artificial surface Rodgers will assess the left-back and other players with previous calf and knee issues.
"We will talk about that with him and the medical staff over the next couple of days," he added. "He is back in training, he looked very strong and has come back well.
"But with guys with calf and knee issues you need to be careful with that. There are a few of the guys who struggle on that surface so as I said, we will look at it in the next couple of days."
Celtic will face rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi final on April 15 at Hampden.
