EK’s grounds for complaint

EAST KILBRIDE have written to the SFA querying their decision to stage the Scottish Cup fifth-round clash with Celtic at Hamilton’s New Douglas Park. The Lowland League club were expected to name their proposed venue for a clash with the SPFL champions before their fourth-round match with Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale. But East Kilbride officials held fire as they were wary of

accusations of disrespect or arrogance. Parkhead, Hampden, Partick Thistle’s Firhill or Clyde’s Broadwood were identified as potential alternatives to K Park. But SFA rules dictate that clubs with a non-compliant stadium should play Scottish Cup ties at the nearest similar-sized suitable stadium. And confirmation the game would be played at 6,000-seat New Douglas Park was posted on the SFA website just after Wednesday’s 2-0 win — without East Kilbride’s knowledge. Chairman Mark Horner said last night: ‘We just want to know how the decision was reached.

‘The club do not even know how much it would cost to host the game there. ‘We wrote to Hamilton but they never came back to us.’ Hamilton’s stadium is free on February 7, the date of the Celtic match, following Accies’ shock fourthround defeat to League Two club Annan Athletic.

But East Kilbride officials believe local interest in the town is strong enough to take the game to a bigger venue. And with little or no experience of staging games against the likes of Celtic, they are set to seek permission to overturn the Hamilton decision in favour of Parkhead or a larger arena.