SPFL explain Celtic and Hibs reshuffle decision and point to long-standing policy as key factor

p The SPFL have explained the decision to rearrange Celticapos;s clash with a data-content-type=section-topic data-link-tracking=InArticle|Link href=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/hibernian-fc target=_blankHibs/a that left Easter Road bosses furious. /p pThe New Year match at Parkhead has been rearranged from Saturday, January 9 to Monday, January 11 but the Edinburgh club insisted they had not agreed to the change./p p Club chief a data-content-type=section-topic data-link-tracking=InArticle|Link href=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/leeann-dempster target=_blankLeeann Dempster/a admitted Hibs were left quot;fizzingquot; by the announcement, insisting they had declined a data-content-type=section-topic data-link-tracking=InArticle|Link href=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/celtic-fc target=_blankCeltic/a apos;s proposal. /p p em strongRecord Sport/strong /em exclusively revealed the Hoopsapos; plans to arrange a winter training camp were behind their desire to reshuffle the schedule. /p p/ p And now the a data-content-type=section-topic data-link-tracking=InArticle|Link href=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/scottish-professional-football-league target=_blankSPFL/a apos;s director of operations Iain Blair insists policy has always been to favour the home club in such situations. /p pHe maintains Hibs were informed in advance of the change being made public./p pBlair said: #x201C;Discussions between Celtic FC and Hibernian FC had taken place about the Celtic v Hibernian league match originally scheduled for Saturday January 9th. Celtic wished to move the fixture from its scheduled time, to another slot that weekend. When the two clubs could not reach agreement, I received a request from Celtic FC to move their home match against Hibernian FC to Monday January 11th./p img src=https://i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article13321376.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_10191008.jpg title=Iain Blair data-portal-copyright=SNS Group/ p#x201C;I took the request to the SPFL board, noting that Hibernian FC objected to the move./p pquot;However, as the proposed date change fell within the same Friday - Monday fixture slot, and was made by the home club, I informed the SPFL board that my intention was to agree to the request./p p#x201C;As has been the case for the past 22 years, SPFL policy, where two clubs do not agree about a fixture change and in the absence of any other relevant factor, is to favour the home club./p pquot;Both Celtic FC and Hibernian FC were advised of the change more than an hour before the decision was made public, with no adverse comment being received from Hibernian FC ahead of publication.#x201D;/p