PUB and club trade bosses will today meet football chiefs as the campaign to have the Hogmanay Old Firm fixture moved.

As part of the Bells not Brawls campaign, Neil Doncaster, head of the SPFL, has agreed to meet with Paul Waterson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Donald MacLeod, convenor of the Licensing Forum and Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

The licence trade chiefs and business boss is keen to discuss their concerns about the scheduling of the match.

Mr Waterson hopes tomorrow meeting will result in a date change for the match.

He said: “Any Rangers v Celtic game puts extra pressure not only on our members, but also on other businesses, rank and file police officers, accident and emergency services, transport services and others.

"By having the game on Hogmanay the potential for alcohol misuse, serious social disorder, and domestic abuse is heightened significantly. We will be asking that the game is moved to a more appropriate date.”

While Donald MacLeod is urging the SPFL to listen favourably to their concerns.

He said: “I have said before and will say it again that it is complete madness to have this volatile fixture played on Hogmanay, a day which most of the general public regard as a holiday and a family day of celebration. As a football fan I do not want to see the Old Firm matches red-carded, no way but I do want those in charge of fixture planning to be held more responsible for their decision making and the unwanted trouble that such a match brings to our doors after the final whistle is blown.”

Former Scottish Football Association chief Gordon Smith, also backs a switch.

He said: "I’m very worried that the fans of both teams will struggle to get home that day given the very limited public transport and shortening of services that will be available on the day.”

Lisini Pub Company founder Harry Hood and ex Celtic player said it was a "crazy decision."

A petition to have the match moved to a more sensible date is running at https://goo.gl/TiVEWL with more than 500 signatures.