Scottish Cup and Premiership play-off success could see Inverness Caledonian Thistle playing until June 9 this summer after SPFL dates release
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s penalty for success in reaching both the Scottish Cup and Premiership play-off finals would be playing on as late as June 9 this summer.
The Championship club face Falkirk in the Hampden Park semi-final on April 29 and remain in contention for a top four place in the Championship.
Were manager Billy Dodds and his men to secure a spot in the national cup final against Celtic and Rangers on June 3, the showpiece occasion would fall between the two leg Premiership play-off final now scheduled for Thursday, June 1 and Sunday, June 4.
Three games in four days would clearly be beyond Caley Jags and, in fixture scheduling announced a short time ago today, alternative arrangements have been finalised for just such a season-stretching scenario.
The SPFL announced that new play-off final dates of Tuesday, June 6 and Friday, June 9 would kick into action.
The extended season would be a price Dodds and the club would happily pay, but the head coach recently raised concerns over fixture congestion and the impact of short summer rest periods on player welfare.
The league authority also announced dates for all end-of-season play-offs, with a total of 10 matches to be broadcast live.
BBC Scotland will show the cinch Premiership play-off quarter-finals on Tuesday, May 9 and Friday, May 12, followed by the semi-finals on Friday, May 19 and Friday, May 26.
The final, which marks the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, will be screened live on Sky Sports on Thursday June 1 and Sunday June 4, unless the Caley Thistle scenario kicks in.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “The play-offs are always something to look forward to and provide unrivalled tension and drama for the fans in the stadium and those watching on TV.
“We are delighted that 10 play-off matches will be broadcast live across Sky Sports, BBC Scotland and BBC ALBA to help showcase the SPFL at all levels.”
