GOODWIN: CALL CUP QUITS

St Mirren manager calls on SFA to reconsider schedule

ST MIRREN manager Jim Goodwin is convinced that this season’s Scottish Cup will be the first not to have a winner since 1909.

Goodwin, whose side were due to travel to Hamilton Accies in the third round last weekend when the draw was made on January 10, believes that it will be logistically impossible for the Scottish FA to find dates for the outstanding ties in a season which will end early in order to accommodate the Euro 2020 finals, postponed from last summer.

And, although the semi-finals and finals of last year’s tournament were held over and concluded this season – and even though the SFA have abandoned replays, with extra-time and penalties deciding the outcome of drawn matches – there are 43 ties still to be played.

The lower and non-league clubs have also been shut down by the SFA since January 11, a decision taken in an attempt to stop the spread of Covid-19. That was recently extended until February 14.

Partick Thistle, whose secondround tie at Cowdenbeath was postponed, haven’t played a competitive match since Boxing Day and the extreme weather conditions Scotland has been experiencing has led to Premiership and Championship fixtures being postponed.

Consequently, Goodwin (inset) believes it would be better for all concerned to halt the competition now.

“The Scottish Cup is one we all really enjoy and of course we would love to be able to get it played but, just thinking with my sensible hat on, I don’t see where we can squeeze that competition into the calendar,” he said. “We already have eight games in the month of February and there’s nowhere to fit it in this month so I just can’t see how we can do it.

“Unless we do it without some of the lower-league teams but I don’t think that would be fair either, would it? Personally,

I can’t see it happening and I think the competition will be postponed and we’ll start it again next season.”

The only time the SFA has withheld the trophy was following a riot involving Celtic and Rangers supporters, who had watched their teams draw 1-1 in the replayed final, following an initial 2-2 draw in 1909. When it was announced that a second replay would take place, both sets of fans invaded the pitch, setting fire to wooden barricades and tearing up the goalposts.