SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell has explained why Aberdeen v Celtic and the Edinburgh derby won’t go ahead next month.
The Scottish Cup semi-finals were still scheduled in for next month despite the SPFL’s football suspension across all divisions as teams looked to halt Celtic’s domestic dominance.
The Edinburgh pair were set to meet. (Photo by Callum Landells/Getty Images)
Aberdeen were the team to face the Hoops at Hampden whilst Hearts and Hibs would contest a local derby at the national stadium. That has been canned for now though and Maxwell’s explained why the decision has been taken.
“At this juncture it is also important to confirm that the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final ties between Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian, and Celtic and Aberdeen, will not be played on the original dates – 11 and 12 April – nor will the final be played on 9 May,” he said in an SFA update.
“Given the fast-moving nature of this unprecedented situation, and the imperative to safeguard public health, we will consider future dates for the cup ties when the situation becomes clearer.
Ian Maxwell has announced it’s off for the foreseeable. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“We are, however, committed to completing the competition at the appropriate time, in front of spectators, and will base any decision on government and UK Medical Officers advice, and the readiness of the participants to complete the ties.”
Uncertain future
Who knows when these games will be played. Priority may be on getting the league campaign finished but the Scottish Cup is still an integral part of the football calendar in this country.
Celtic have won the cup over the past three seasons and Derek McInnes, Daniel Stendel and Jack Ross were likely relishing the chance to try and end that stranglehold.
Alas, it will be shelved for the foreseeable, as Scottish football works out how to move forward in an efficient manner.