POLICE and football chiefs are involved in talks over the timing of first festive Old Firm clash since 2011.

Rangers and Celtic are due to play in one of their three scheduled fixtures next season on Hogmanay.

The full fixture list for the 2016/17 season was released yesterday with two other Old Firm games to be played on the weekend of Saturday September 11 followed by March 11.

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A Police Scotland confirmed that discussions are still ongoing regarding the fixtures.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “There are ongoing discussions between Police Scotland and SPFL in regard to the date and timing of the match at the end of the year.”

It comes as calls have been made to move the Hogmanay fixture over fears it will put an extra strain on the emergency services.

The SPFL have signalled that one of the four fixtures between Celtic and Rangers will take place on Saturday, December 31 – which is a clash with Hogmanay celebrations across Scotland.

A 3pm kick-off at Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium would coincide with revellers getting ready for parties to bring in the new year.

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Paul Waterson, who is chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: “I think really it is the wrong day to have that game.

“It used to traditionally be around about that time, the new year, the second or just before, and I just don’t think it fits now.

“There can be problems at it and I think it should be moved.”

He added: “It will cause some problems especially in terms of resources for the police.

“Everybody is busy anyway and I think it would put undue stress on a lot of the agencies involved in it. “

Susan Jack, of Glasgow Women’s Aid said: “Over the past few years there have been links made to the Old Firm and increases in domestic abuse which I have to say the women’s organisations haven’t identified themselves.

“We have said it happens everyday.

“If people have a few drinks and are violent to their partners or children, it could be made worse maybe by the mix of Hogmanay and their team either winning or losing.”

She added: “Emergency services will be overstretched at Hogmanay without throwing that in. It seems a bit crazy.”