Just as I posted my last article, Celtic released a scorching statement on the re-scheduled timing of this year’s Scottish Cup Final.
And you know what? It is especially damning in light of the SFA’s own self-congratulatory and smug statement announcing the change, a statement which The Record and other outlets ran without ever checking with the clubs.
Let’s do the SFA statement first.
“The Scottish FA can confirm that the 2022/23 Men’s Scottish Cup Final will take place between Celtic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park on Saturday, June 3, with a 5.30pm kick-off. We would like to thank all parties for their support in ensuring a slot commensurate with Scottish football’s showpiece occasion. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One Scotland and on Viaplay.”
Almost as soon as the statement was made, Celtic released their own making it clear that whichever “parties” gave their support to this doesn’t include us.
Indeed, Celtic claims that we were barely consulted about it at all.
“We are hugely disappointed that the Scottish Cup Final has been moved from its traditional 3pm slot, something we don’t believe was necessary, or in the best interests of both sets of supporters,” Celtic’s response reads.
“Additionally, there was no meaningful consultation with Celtic on this matter, in terms of assessing the many issues affecting supporters attending the match – something which is also extremely regrettable.”
Obviously, this is a breaking story, or I’d not be posting it so close to the article I’ve just put up, but Celtic’s statement essentially calls the SFA liars.
Quite how Inverness fans will feel at having to leave Glasgow at 8pm or later, after the match, for a long journey north can only be guessed at and their club might provide some clarity later, but it will hardly be filling them with all the joys of spring.
The SFA claims that it keeps the Scottish Cup Final in “a slot commensurate with Scottish football’s showpiece occasion”.
That might be the most shocking part of their press release.
Because what it actually does, of course, is moves the game to accommodate the one being played in England, so if by that line they mean second best to the fat, bloated leech of a league down south then I would entirely agree.
If they mean it presents our game in a good light, they are howling at the moon.
We are used to the EPL and those in its environs treating this league and this country and the Scottish game with utter contempt.
Decisions like this confirm that its leaders are in no small part responsible for that perception, because this does nothing to challenge it but only highlights the reasons why so many down south view us this way.
It is a disgraceful announcement, and Celtic was right to respond at they have.
It is obvious that this is a story which isn’t even close to being finished yet.
A Sunday 3 pm kick off would have been ideal ! That SFA posse could not hammer a nail into a dumpling …
The celtic board should have made their views on kick off time earlier when the news broke yesterday but as usual they just sat back and this is the outcome.
Lawwell & Co. couldn’t give a damn. These parasites will be at Hampden, caring not a jot about the supporters, no doubt stuffing their faces, with all the freebees on offer. Huns to a man.
Hail Hail.
It’s a disgrace. Only marginally better than the 1230 I feared. Horrific for the staggies, who let’s be honest, should form a major part of the thinking as Hampden is “local” to celtic so the fans with the furthest commuteshould have been front and centre of thoughts.
It also shows a dreadful lack of faith in the Scottish game… Either by the SFA or by via play. As they clearly think people won’t want to watch their own team in a cup final if they have the chance to watch Man City vs Arsenal (or whoever, I honestly don’t know who’s left in the FA cup and I care even less) instead.
As for the broadcast blackout… That’s a nonsense anyway, but if they want to keep it then it should be easy enough to exclude the Scottish cup final as a one off every year.
Absolutely nobody who gives even the slightest shit about this game is happy with that scheduling.
Staggies? Brain fart! Sorry to any ICT fans. The point stands.
The Scottish Cup final and winning a treble always was going to play 2nd fiddle to the English cup final.
Actually prefer the half five slot myself and won’t dampen our celebrations whatsoever, especially within Ireland as it stands to be a great day all round with plenty of craic.
Playing a lunchtime kick off would have been ridiculous even if it suited our Asian friends moreso.
Always stood to make some unhappy whatever decision was to be made about when and what kick off time regardless.
No complaints from myself anyway
The SFA do what they want because Celtic have always allowed them to get away with whatever they want. I don’t think it’s too little too late to grow a set of baws, and I welcome the Celtic statement, but we are reaping what was previously sewed.
The lunchtime kick off would have been terrible.. the early evening one is not as bad, but I would have preferred the 3 pm slot. Why did the Man city vs Man Utd game not get the early evening slot.. it’s not great that apparently Celtic were not part of the conversation regarding it, that’s very poor actually. I’m glad it’s not the Sunday though. Oh well just have to celebrate it on the Saturday night.. which I suppose ain’t that bad. Can’t beat a wee hampden in the sun.
Would say the English cup final was changed upon police advice with 2 teams coming from Manchester and the travelling involved imo.
Yes fair point mate.. I suppose the back of 5 on a Saturday ain’t the worst, I’d rather that than the early kick off.. and a Sunday final. Although not ecstatic about it.. it ain’t to be bad to be fair.
No horrible HUNS at Hampden Sean, that’s the main thing, 🙂
Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Treble x8 happy days, although no disrespect to ICT offcourse .
5.30 am on a Tuesday morning and the place would still be stowed.
The powers that be will NEVER stop us.
HH
The 2 finalists should put their foot down and demand a 3pm kick off, The toothless SFA have not the moral backbone to go against the fans.
We should really give Maxwell a break at the SFA:
he’s busy studying for his ‘O’-levels.
[Or, whatever they’re called these days.]
The SFA continues to negatively impact our national game… 🙁
I don’t know if this is because they think this game is fore going conclusion. But it could have been worse, when I heard the kick off was being rescheduled I thought here comes yet again another Celtic game kicking off at midday. Had the game been a bigger showcase or if the Rangers had been in the final this would this have happened!?!?
As usual we’re done to and just have to accept it. Suits me but not sure if it suits ICT fans.
Change of subject but a statement none the less.
The Youth Cup Final and was an absolutely fantastic spectacle. Celtic 6 rankers 5 after extra time and what a game. The young bhoys play in exactly the same way as the 1st team including getting the ball back in action as quickly as possible after every break or stoppage in play. Impressed with the captain Kyle Ure a young Callum in the making and the big CB Agbaire. Well done bhoys thoroughly deserved. HH
So does this leave Sundsy free for an open-top bus drive through Glasgow City centre to showcase our trophies, and our team, if Celtic should win a world record 8th Treble? Better believe there would bo one if anyone else achieved this! If Celtic are in fighting mode perhaps they might also demand this – making sure Police Scotland don’t sabotage it as they did
before!
Not only Celtic inconvenienced, last train to Inverness, is twenty minutes after final whistle.