Old Firm title rivals agree on fixture date

Bitter rivals Rangers and Celtic will play their Old Firm match which could prove to be the decisive clash in the Scottish Premier League title race on May 9 it was announced on Tuesday.

The clubs reached agreement after holding talks with SPL officials and local police, who wanted to avoid it being on the final day of the season.

Celtic, who lead their rivals by a point, will be without suspended midfielder Scott Brown, who will be serving a two match suspension but Rangers will be able to field Algerian international defender Madjid Bougherra as he has only a one match ban.

The fixture was expected to take place immediately after the league split on the weekend of May 2/3 but it is understood police were reluctant for the game to be played then because of fears over bank holiday violence.