SPFL FACE PROSPECT OF FIXTURE HEADACHE

THE SPFL are facing a fixtures nightmare if Falkirk or Hibernian reach both the Premiership Play-off Final and the Scottish Cup Final. Yesterday’s Scottish Cup semi-final draw paired the Bairns and the Easter Road side in the last four next month, meaning that a Championship side will definitely be contesting the Hampden showpiece. But while the Scottish Cup Final is being held on Saturday, May 30, the Premiership Play-off Final — which will pit a Championship team against a top-flight side over two legs — has been scheduled for Thursday, May 28 and Sunday, May 31. Alan Stubbs’ Hibs are certainties to be in the play-offs, with Peter Houston’s Falkirk pushing Queen of the South for the final slot. Should either of the teams reach both of the finals, they would face a play-off game 36 hours before the Scottish Cup Final and another 24 hours later. That unacceptable situation would clearly leave the SPFL facing the embarrassing and logistically-difficult task of rescheduling the league’s end-of-season showcase matches. Even so, Hibs boss Stubbs was delighted with the draw after his side easily disposed of League Two Berwick Rangers at Easter Road yesterday. He said: ‘I’m really happy with the draw and I’m excited about facing Falkirk at Hampden. We’ve played Falkirk a few times so far this season, so we know a lot about them. ‘But this will be a different game and it will be backed by a big crowd supporting us and willing us on, so I’m confident we can go there and achieve a result. ‘It’s a good draw for both teams and I’m sure Peter (Houston) will be confident heading into this match, too.’ Meanwhile, the other semi-final will see the winner of the Inverness Caley Thistle-Raith Rovers match take on either Dundee United or Celtic, who drew 1-1 at Tannadice yesterday in a stormy encounter. The Caley Thistle versus Raith replay takes place tomorrow night after it was postponed on Saturday because of a waterlogged pitch at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.