Shock report reveals telly plan for Scottish Cup Final

Celtic’s Scottish Cup Final against Inverness Caley Thistle looks set for a lunchtime kick-off as a warm up to the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

BBC and ITV will show the Manchester Derby live with a 3pm kick off with BBC Scotland and Viaplay Sport not prepared to go head to head with that fixture.

Scottish fans are used to being messed about for television such as Celtic kicking off at 12 noon away to Ross County.

The Scottish Cup Final has so far been immune to that but that is poised to change according to a report in The Sun:

It’s believed that Caley Thistle boss Billy Dodds and his Championship underdogs could have it confirmed within the next week that they will take on Ange Postecoglou’s Treblechasers on June 3, much earlier than the traditional 3pm kick-off.

That will spark fury, in particular, from Inverness fans, who were unhappy at having to travel from the Highlands to Hampden for a 12.15pm start to Saturday’s semi-final with Falkirk.

Execs from broadcasters Viaplay and the BBC are keen on a stand-alone kick-off time for the Cup final to avoid a direct clash with the FA Cup.

For the first time in its history it will be competed for by Manchester City and Manchester United – and is expected to draw a huge TV audience.

Subscription-based Viaplay especially are keen on an earlier Hampden start, although a tea-time kickoff hasn’t been ruled out.

A 5 or 5.30pm kick off would be far more convenient if the game can’t kick-off at 3pm on Saturday June 3

Ticket pricing and allocations are expected to be announced this week, with less than 15,000 at the Inverness v Falkirk semi-final Celtic fans are expecting an allocation of close to 40,000 for the final.