Scottish Cup: Dramatic schedule change to avoid clash with duke’s funeral

The SFA has torn up this weekend’s Scottish Cup schedule due to the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral on Saturday, with both Aberdeen and Caley Thistle’s ties moved as a result.

There has been a dramatic change to the fixture list in an effort to avoid clashes with the service for the duke, which will take place at 3pm on Saturday.

Caley Jags were initially scheduled to play their fourth-round clash against St Mirren in Paisley at 3pm on Saturday. However, the game will now take place at 6pm on Friday.

Aberdeen, meanwhile, will still see their tie at home to Livingston televised by Premier Sports, but the fixture – originally scheduled for 2pm on Sunday – has been moved to 5.30pm on Saturday.

Premier Sports will now televise the Glasgow derby between Rangers and Celtic at 3pm on Sunday.

League fixtures are also impacted, with the SPFL yesterday confirming Saturday’s Championship, League One and League Two games will kick off at noon.

North sides Peterhead, Cove Rangers (both League One) and Elgin City (League Two) are affected by the decision.

Cove host Falkirk at the Balmoral Stadium while Peterhead travel to Methil to take on East Fife and Elgin entertain Albion Rovers at Borough Briggs.

FRIDAY

SCOTTISH CUP – Fourth round: St Mirren v Caley Thistle (6.0), Motherwell v Morton (7.0), Forfar v Dundee United.

SATURDAY

SCOTTISH CUP – Fourth round: Kilmarnock v Montrose (11.45), Aberdeen v Livingston (5.30), St Johnstone v Clyde (5.30).

SPFL CHAMPIONSHIP (noon) – Alloa v Raith, Arbroath v Ayr United, Dunfermline v Queen of the South.

SPFL LEAGUE ONE (noon) –

Cove Rangers v Falkirk, East Fife v Peterhead.

SPFL LEAGUE TWO (noon) –

Annan v Brechin, Cowdenbeath v Stirling, Edinburgh City v Queen’s Park, Elgin v Albion Rovers.

SUNDAY

SCOTTISH CUP – Fourth round: Stranraer v Hibs (12.15), Rangers v Celtic (3.0).

SWPL1 – Hearts v Forfar Farm (1.0), Rangers v Hibs (2.0), Spartans v Celtic (2.0), Glasgow City v Motherwell (4.10).