Cops block Dons v Gers cup clash

Cops stop TV moving potential Dons v Gers cup tie to 5.15 KO

COPS are set to pull the plug on a bid to schedule a potential powderkeg Scottish Cup clash between Aberdeen and Rangers on a Saturday night.

Record Sport can reveal the possible Pittodrie grudge match has been selected for the prime time evening slot by the SFA’s new broadcast partners Premier Sports.

Monday night’s draw set up the prospect of a mouthwatering rerun of last week’s top-flight blockbuster

between the two sides – so long as Steven Gerrard’s men can overcome Kilmarnock in a fifth-round replay at Ibrox next week.

The Irish subscription company drew up plans yesterday to beam live coverage of the quarterfinal clash on Saturday March 2 – with Celtic’s trip to face Hibs at Easter Road selected for a lunchtime kick-off the following day.

But that plan now looks certain to be scrapped and the matches reversed after talks involving the broadcasters and Police Scotland yesterday.

It’s believed the authorities are anxious about the potential for a repeat of the crowd trouble that shamed this fixture the last time it was selected for a Saturday night TV slot, more than 17 years ago back in January 2002.

On that night home fans spilled on to the pitch to confront Rangers supporters after Aberdeen striker Robbie Winters had been struck by a coin.

Premier Sports had hoped to cash in on the latest instalment of this fierce rivalry which could come hot on the heels of a stormy 4-2 win for Rangers last week.

But they are now expected to agree to the wishes of the police.