SFA score ‘huge own goal’ after Rangers & Celtic development – O’Rourke
The Scottish Football Association have scored a “huge own goal” by holding the Scottish Cup final on the same day as the English FA Cup final.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke slaughtered the SFA as many fans would want to be able to watch both cup finals but will be unable to due to their scheduling choice.
Both Celtic and Rangers won their semi-finals at Hampden Park last weekend to secure their passage to the final next month.
The Hoops had to go all the way to a penalty shootout after the game ended 3-3 against a struggling Aberdeen on Saturday (20 April) but they secured a win after Dons midfielder Killian Phillips missed his spot-kick.
SFA score ‘own goal’ with Celtic and Rangers cup final scheduling
The next afternoon, Philippe Clement’s side booked their place in the final after a Cyriel Dessers’ brace earned them a 2-0 win against Hearts.
However, the FA Cup and the Scottish Cup finals will both be played out at 3 pm on 25 May, meaning fans will have to make a decision on which game to watch.
Both finals will feature huge local rivals in the clashes, with Man United taking on Man City at Wembley Stadium while the fierce Old Firm sides will face off at Hampden Park.
The Manchester clubs last played against each other in the FA Cup final last season, with Pep Guardiola’s Citizens coming out on top with a 2-1 win.
However, Rangers and Celtic have not played each other in the final since the 2001-02 campaign, where the Gers secured their 30th Scottish Cup win with a 3-2 victory.
The stakes are high in the Scottish final with Brendan Rodgers’ side keen to stop Rangers from winning a cup double – and potentially a domestic treble if they manage to overhaul Celtic’s three-point lead at the top of the league table.
In other news, Celtic and Rangers held back by ‘old-fashioned’ SPFL – Keith Wyness.
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