6.30pm kick-off on a Sunday evening, whose idea was that?
Given the penultimate ever episode of BBC’s Line of Duty cop thriller is due to air at 9pm later tonight, there will be plenty of fans hoping that there is a lack of drama at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup quarter-final.
Extra-time and penalties would take us right into that prime time slot on the Beeb but let’s hope that it’s a routine day at the office for Steven Gerrard’s men, unlike most for Ted Hastings AC-12 squad.
Scottish Cup broadcast partner Premier Sports, in their wisdom, pencilled in the Rangers v St. Johnstone tie for a time that many have scoffed at.
Presumably, they wanted to avoid clashing with Leeds v Man Utd and the Man City v Spurs League Cup final to grab as big a slice of the viewing figures pie as possible.
But this one doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.
Rangers v St. Johnstone will be watched by fans of those clubs, very few others.
Why can’t the fans have been given a better time slot for the game?
Sunday games are generally not a favourite, even more so in lock-down.
At least with noon kick-offs, you don’t have long to wait and the rest of the day can be planned accordingly.
With this kick-off, everything is up in the air – including the chance of the game going further into extra-time.
Fans have been expressing frustrations online and across social media, having to wait so long for the game to get underway.
A further wait will be required for the semi-final draw, given that it takes place after the Kilmarnock v St Mirren tie, live on BBC Scotland tomorrow evening.
Should Rangers prevail tonight, as expected, they will be overwhelming favourites to go on to lift the Scottish Cup.
In doing so, they would end a 12 year wait for the famous old trophy to come back to Ibrox – since Nacho Novo’s wonder strike against Falkirk clinched a 1-0 win for Walter Smith’s side back in 2009.
Mother of God…it’s been far too long.
