Right now, the current situation is this. Dundee United and Motherwell are all but safe in the top six but there is still an outside chance that Hibs or Livingston could catch them. Since there is no ‘rest’ week between the split and final five games it is imperative that all fixtures involving the four clubs are completed before the last ‘normal’ game on April 17.
The trouble is created by Dunfermline and Livingston’s participation in the Scottish Cup semi finals this weekend. Livingston can play Rangers next mid-week and finish off against Hearts on Saturday but Dunfermline already have a rearranged match against Hibs to fit in. Since they (rightly) chose not to upset their semi final preparations by squeezing in another match this mid-week, they will now have to play Hibs and us in the same mid-week. Whilst this has not been confirmed since there is no mathematical way the top six can be guaranteed before next Wednesday, the Motherwell-Dunfermline fixture will have to be played on Thursday 15th April.
This is unfortunate for us as it means we will only have one day off before visiting Aberdeen but it is particularly harsh on the Dunfermline players who will play ICT, Hibs, Motherwell and United in the space of eight days. Let’s hope they tire for us but can pick it up again against the Arabs on the plastic!