Celtic and Rangers have enjoyed five enthralling clashes this season

The odds on a dead heat in the title race have shortened significantly in recent weeks.

If both sides finish the season with the same number of points, the same goal difference and the same amount of goals scored, such a play-off will be required.

Celtic are currently three points ahead and have a better goal difference of two.

They have also scored one more goal but Rangers have a game in hand, aganist Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.

The only other time a play-of has been needed to decide the league title's destination was in 1904/05.

In that instance, both Rangers and Celtic finished the season with 41 points, with Celtic winning in a play-off.

In the first season of the Scottish Football League, Dumbarton and Rangers shared the league title after finishing on the same points.

Kilmarnock won the title in 1964/65 from Hearts on goal average.

And in 1985/86 Hearts fell foul to the goal difference rule when they lost out to Celtic.

SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "With the championship being so hotly contested this season we have already been in consultation with both clubs, the SFA and Strathclyde Police regarding the play-off possibility.

"Naturally both Celtic and Rangers want to remain focused on the remainder of the scheduled SPL season and their respective cup finals.

"I would therefore like to thank both clubs for their co-operation about arrangements for a match that may not even be required."

Celtic finish their league campaign at Kilmarnock at the same time as Rangers are at home to Dunfermline on Sunday 25 May.

Celtic play the final of the Uefa Cup on Wednesday 21 May, while Rangers defend the Tennent's Scottish Cup on 31 May against Dundee.

The play-off would kick-off at 1945BST and will be decided by extra time and penalty kicks if required.