Family final’s ticket pricing given seal of approval

citizens. Adult ticket prices will range from £15 to £30, with a family of four able to attend for £60. Earlier this month, Celtic were left frustrated that there were no concessions available in the north stand for the semi-final defeat to Caley Thistle. But the SFA have moved to ensure concessions will be available for the first time in the north stand for £10. The pricing structure for the final comes as Liverpool fans prepare to boycott tonight’s English Premier League match at Hull City, with an adult ticket for the game at the KC Stadium costing an eye-watering £50. Last night, Falkirk boss Peter Houston welcomed the pricing announcement and hopes it will result in a sell-out Hampden as Falkirk seek their first Scottish Cup win in 58 years — and Caley Thistle their first-ever major silverware. Houston told Sportsmail: ‘I think it’s a very sensible pricing. It’s going to be a real family final and I’d hope at those prices people will bring more kids along because they are the future of the game. ‘It’s also nice that there are concessions for senior citizens as Falkirk will have fans who were at the club’s last Scottish Cup win in 1957 who will be hoping to see their team lift silverware again. ‘It’s great that it’s going to be affordable and I would hope to see Hampden soldout for what looks like being a very open match.’ Caley Thistle and Falkirk were fully involved in the pricing decision and both welcomed the outcome. And Caley Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron said: ‘There will be a major exodus from the Highlands on the day plus we’ll have fans travelling from a range of countries. ‘It should be a memorable occasion.’ Meanwhile, Bairns boss Houston revealed he offered to personally intervene to help Inverness clear defender Josh Meekings to play in the semi-final. The defender was cited by the SFA — then cleared — after his controversial hand-ball, stopping a goal by Leigh Griffiths, was missed by referee Steven McLean and assistant Alan Muir during Caley Thistle’s thrilling 3-2 semi-final win over Celtic. And Houston also admitted he would give his blessing to a rule change to allow Caley Thistle’s suspended centre-half Gary Warren to play in the final. He told Sportsmail: ‘I texted (Inverness boss) Yogi Hughes when Meekings was charged and I offered to publicly back him to play in the final, if it made a difference. ‘I’m glad the right decision was made by the SFA. ‘But I think it’s totally unfair Warren misses the final for two yellow cards. ‘I feel heart sorry for the lad, who was also suspended for the League Cup semi-final last year. ‘It’s a rule that needs to be looked at and — if the SFA was to announce a rule change tomorrow that allowed Warren to play in the final — I would not gripe about it.’

SUPPORTERS will be able to watch next month’s Scottish Cup Final from as little as £5 after the SFA last night struck a deal with finalists Falkirk and Inverness Caley Thistle to slash ticket prices. With both teams boasting a combined average home attendance of just 8,100, there were fears of a low turnout at 52,000-capacity Hampden on May 30 and, last week, Sportsmail had urged all parties to ensure the showpiece occasion was sensibly priced. In response, the SFA and the clubs have agreed to set up a ‘Family Final’ pricing structure with £5 tickets available to children, students and senior