Broughty’s Scottish Cup hopes may not be over

BROUGHTY Athletic’s hopes of reaching their first Scottish Cup semi-final may not be over after junior chiefs announced they are hoping to complete the current competition next season – and they are even prepared to wait until next year to do so.

Six teams remain in the competition with Beith and Pollok through to the semis while either Auchinleck or Hurlford will join them along with the winners of the Broughty v Darvel replay.

Should Broughty come through their tie against Darvel they would face a trip to Ayrshire in the first of a two-legged semi-final against Beith.

The management committee acknowledged it will be a challenge and will require the willingness of all involved and will, of course, be subject to when football will resume at junior level.

One question raised by participating clubs is who will be eligible to play in the remaining games?

In response, the committee suggested: “Subject to the remaining clubs being in agreement, we would suggest those players registered as and when the matches are played will be eligible, subject to the Scottish Cup competition rules regarding eligibility for semis and final.”

“And, for the avoidance of doubt, any player who had played in the competition this season will be eligible if he subsequently signs for one of the remaining sides in the competition – the outstanding games being a standalone competition as such.”

If the plan does go ahead, it would cast doubt on when the 2020/21 competition would start.