The knives are out for the SFA over the teatime kick off for next month’s Scottish Cup Final.
Hampden top brass were getting it in the neck from all angles over the 5.30pm start time for Celtic v Inverness on June 3. Such is the clamour that even a Rangers fan called the Hotline to back Celtic’s fury towards the blazers. Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: “Once again those in charge of Scottish football have given zero thought to the fans of both Celtic and Inverness by deciding a 5.30pm kick off for the Scottish Cup Final. Doing this with no consultation with either club is a disgrace.
"No thought or consideration has been given to the inconvenience this will cause to the fans of both teams relating to their travel arrangements. While I support Rangers I am also a football fan and wholeheartedly back Celtic in their criticism of the SFA."
John Caw emailed: “What a way to treat cup finalists. That lot at Hampden do what they like to Celtic and the fans. It’s not very fair to Inverness fans either. Absolutely shameful.”
Robert McEwan said: “It's pathetic that we have cowed towed down to the English cup. If it was a Celtic-Rangers final would the SFA have agreed to change? But we won't stop in our quest for more trebles.”
And William Hutchison, Aberdeen, added: “Absolutely shocking. As a Celtic fan I feel for Inverness fans going to try to catch a train back home whatever the result that night.”
It’s not just the big Scottish Cup Final making the news either as Wednesday's Old Firm Youth Cup Final produced an 11-goal thriller with Celtic edging Rangers by the odd goal. Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, said: “Congratulations to Celtic under 18s for a typical Celtic performance in winning the Scottish Youth Cup by six goals to five. Of course, Rangers got their penalty before having a man sent off. It couldn't get any worse for the Govan team. Well done Bhoys.”
The fallout from Sunday’s semi final continues to rumble on. Alan Flett emailed: “The criticism of Rangers and Beale is way over the top. His Old Firm record of a draw and three losses doesn’t look pretty, but you could argue that Rangers were the better side in three of those four games. It’s individual mistakes that are costing us! Celtic are as good as they’re ever going to be and if Beale gets his recruitment right, we will surely win the title next season.”
But, no doubt tongue in cheek, Stephen McSherry, Uddingston, said: “If Celtic do indeed win the league against Hearts I’d like to see Ange playing some kids and reserves against Rangers at Ibrox. That fixture is not important and would give some players some game time.”
Seamie Gallagher, Govan Road, said: “As a contented Celtic man, I'm convinced we will always be the best as long as Ange Postecoglou is in charge. His signings and attention to detail are second to none, plus we never stop probing, looking for things to achieve. The best Rangers can hope for are any crumbs that fall off our table.”
Tom Paterson, Falkirk, had a message for a Hotline regular. He said: “Methinks Dr Robert Pender has a cheek regarding his comments on the coronation chants from Celtic fans. Both sets of fans are guilty, and have been for decades, at spewing out sectarian chants. Maybe his beloved Rangers board should sort their own fans out first then he can come at the Celtic fans from the moral high ground. It's why England don’t want the Old Firm in their leagues - too much sectarian baggage.”
Finally, Stephen McLaren, Govan, took aim at the proposals for a Conference League featuring Premiership B teams. He said: “This is terrible news for teams like Clydebank, Auchinleck Talbot, Pollok, Darvel and others who have spent a lot of money, time and effort getting their stadia up to SFA license to progress through the alleged pyramid system. Hopefully even clubs in the higher leagues will speak up against this nonsense. A classic example of the rich looking after themselves.”
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