Shocked and frustrated- Mysteries of Celtic’s Scottish Cup clash deepens

Mark Ogren has revealed that Dundee United had no say in the scheduling of their Scottish Cup quarter-final against Celtic. 

Ange Postecoglou’s side’s possible involvement in Europe restricted the options open but yesterday’s exit to Bodo Glint left the weekend of March 12 and 13 open. 

In mid-afternoon it was announced that the game would be played on Monday March 14 which doesn’t seem to suit either set of supporters. 

Saturday at 5pm or thereabouts seemed like the perfect option, similar to Celtic’s fourth round tie at Alloa but for reasons unknown that was never a live option. 

Explaining the events to The Courier, United owner Ogren said: 

I was shocked when we were talking about the potential nights when we were going to be able to schedule our Scottish Cup game that it came down to Sunday or Monday. 

Well, what about Saturday? We were told by the Scottish FA that, no, the police have already taken that off the table. I’m actually shocked and frustrated with the fact that the police have the authority to decide that it’s not in anyone’s interests to have the game on the Saturday. 

God-forbid we look at helping out businesses, clubs, restaurants, pubs and hotels that have been decimated by Covid. It’s also a lot more fun for the fans to have Scottish Cup quarter final on a Saturday. 

For it to be denied even before we had the discussion on it, to me that’s not right and it would NEVER happen in the States. Quite frankly, I have to believe it would never happen in other places in the UK. To not even have that discussion – to have it vetoed before it even came to that – is what’s completely frustrating to us. 

Celtic will be playing in front of a reduced travelling support with United deciding to reserve the West Stand (Shed) for their own supporters with away fans restricted to two sections of The Jerry Kerr Stand.  

The match will be broadcast live by Premier Sport.