A key figure at Livingston has hit out on Twitter following the controversial decision to change the dates and kick-off times of upcoming Scottish Cup fourth round fixtures.
Aberdeen vs Livingston and Rangers vs Celtic were both selected for live coverage by Premier Sports, and initially, the former was due to take place at 2pm on Sunday afternoon, while the latter would kick-off at 4pm on Saturday.
However, in a bid to avoid a clash with Prince Philip’s funeral, the Old Firm has since been moved to a 3pm kick-off on Sunday, while Livi’s clash at Pittodrie will now take place on Saturday at 5:30pm.
There’s been plenty of debate already about the decision and Livingston’s business development and social media manager, Dave Black, claims it was made without consulting the affected clubs.
“A total and absolute farce,” he wrote on Twitter. “Travel plans, accommodation plans, training plans, nutrition plans – all out the window which then, in turn, has a knock-on affect (sic) to next week too.”
“No discussion with the clubs. Like it or lump it.”
Whether they are now playing a day earlier or later, these changes have impacted the preparations of all the clubs involved.
Therefore, it’s poor form if there really was no effort made to enter into dialogue with clubs prior to the decision being made.
Some fans are disappointed, but Rangers don’t appear to be too upset by the change and it’s commonplace for Old Firm fixtures to take place on Sundays anyway, albeit at the earlier kick-off time of noon.
A reshuffle of some kind was always going to be required due to the circumstances, but the main thing is that the ties are going ahead this weekend, given that postponements had reportedly been on the cards earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, Rangers will have several big European advantages over Celtic next season after key UEFA details and dates emerged.
