With just six league games to go, Celtic find themselves in third. When was the last time you heard that? But unfortunately, that is very much the reality this time around. Hearts sit three points ahead while the Rangers hold a two-point advantage over their Glasgow rivals.

That is not an insurmountable lead by any stretch of the imagination though, especially with games to play against each other. And the post-split fixtures have now been announced, with some interesting decisions being made.

It is usual for the team leading the league to be handed a home fixture on the final day of the season, for obvious reasons. That won't be the case this time though. Hearts will find themselves travelling to Celtic Park. On the other hand, the Rangers have an away fixture to Falkirk.

SPFL Chief Operating Officer Calum Beattie has given his take on the matter on the SPFL's official website. He said:

"To illustrate, Celtic have been given a home match on the final day of the season, partly because they have three home matches post-split and Hearts and Rangers only have two. In recent seasons we have been able to have the club at the top of the table entering into the split at home on the final day. However, that has not been possible on this occasion due to the number of competing constraints and the most exciting title race in years making each fixture round very unpredictable. 

"We have a fantastic final day to look forward to with Celtic and Hearts facing off at Celtic Park, Rangers travelling to a Falkirk side that have been one of the success stories of the season and a potential battle for European spots at Easter Road."

That home game against Hearts on the final day does give Celtic a slight advantage. Although it is up to them to be in the mix by that point. Considering how shaky Martin O'Neill's side have been lately, nothing can be taken for granted.

At the weekend, we saw another example of this. The Hoops had to rely on a late goal from Kelechi Iheanacho to get past Dundee FC in a 2-1 win. When was the last time this team went on a consistent run and had a string of one-sided wins? I, for one, cannot remember.

This is a very tight title race though. It could all come down to fine margins by the end of it. And if that turns out to be the case, then Celtic are in a brilliant position with how the post-split fixtures have been made.

Of course, just that won't be enough and Celtic will need to raise their game a few levels. But if it does come to down to it, the Hoops will know they have the home advantage in big games.

For now, they cannot afford to think that far ahead. It is one game at a time. For Celtic, that means welcoming St Mirren to Parkhead for their final pre-split fixture.

St Mirren have been poor in the league this season and are sitting at 10th. That did not stop them from winning the League Cup final against Celtic though. The two sides will also meet in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

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