Member clubs will share record pot of prize money

The SPFL yesterday revealed that more than £23.7 million will have been paid in total prize money to the 42 member clubs in season 2017-18.

This is an increase of £800,000 on last season’s prize fund of £22.9m.

League prize money is paid in addition to parachute payments, Uefa solidarity, Betfred Cup prize and TV money, Irn-Bru Cup prize and travel money, and clubs’ match accounts from cup games at neutral venues.

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “This season’s revenue distribution is the highest prize fund in the history of the Scottish game and a record windfall for all SPFL clubs.”

Meanwhile, the final set of Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures are expected to be published after the weekend, despite Hearts claiming the final top-six place.

Motherwell’s 2-0 defeat by Aberdeen on Tuesday ended their hopes of overtaking Hearts on the final weekend of games before the split.

But the Scottish Professional Football League is set to wait until after Sunday to finalise the final five rounds of fixtures.

Results over the coming days could give Celtic the chance to clinch their seventh consecutive title in their first post-split fixture – meaning the SPFL is unlikely to schedule the champions to play Rangers on the weekend of April 21-22.

The derby is likely to go ahead on that weekend if Celtic cannot wrap up the championship on that day.

League officials also have a decision to make on which teams face a third trip to Ibrox this season.

Rangers are due two home games after the split, but have already faced all five of their top-six rivals twice at Ibrox.