Clubs ask SFA for clarity on cup ties as Scottish National moved due to funeral
manager Jack Ross has urged the Scottish Football Association to move quickly in deciding arrangements for this weekend's Scottish Cup ties.
The governing body says it has “entered dialogue with the relevant stakeholders” regarding plans for Saturday's fixtures after it was revealed that the funeral of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh will take place at Windsor Castle at 3pm. A national minute's silence will be observed as the ceremonial royal funeral begins.
There are six fourth-round Scottish Cup ties due to be played on Saturday, including Rangers' televised clash with Celtic at Ibrox at 4pm.
Hibs are due to play Stranhibernian raer at Stair Park in front of the BBC Scotland cameras at 12:15pm, and Ross, pictured inset, wants confirmation of the fixture sooner rather than later.
“It would be nice to know as quickly as possible,” he said. “The governing bodies have to recognise that we don’t just turn up and play football matches. There has to be an appreciation of the professionalism involved in it.
“For us to plan our working week, and plan our preparation and build-up for the game, players take this job seriously. So it would be nice to know as quickly as possible. It might not change anything for us but it would be nice to have confirmation as soon as possible. Hopefully we hear soon.”
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is also keen for some clarity on his team’s clash with holders Celtic, which is due to be broadcast live on Premier Sports. “I’ve no concerns but I'd like to know when it is,” he said last night. “We'll have a day off tomorrow and give the lads the information for the game plan we think can be successful on the day. We're certainly looking forward to it but it would be nice to know when it will be.”
The four other Scottish Cup ties planned for Saturday, all scheduled to kick off at 3pm, are Kilmarnock v Montrose, Motherwell v Morton, St Johnstone
v Clyde and St Mirren v Inverness Caledonian Thistle. There are also several Championship, League One and League Two fixtures in Scotland this weekend.
The English Football League has already set a precedent by announcing that matches scheduled for 3pm on Saturday will be moved to avoid a clash.
The British Horseracing Authority also moved quickly in confirming that no racing will take place in Great Britain between 2:45pm and 4:15pm on Saturday. As a result, the prestigious Coral Scottish Grand National fixture at Ayr will now be held on Sunday, 24 hours later than planned. Race start times are expected to be announced today.
The sponsors of the Scottish National agreed that a switch "is definitely the right thing to do". Ladbrokes Coral PR director Simon Clare explained: "Scottish Grand National day is a day of celebration of one of the sport's most prestigious races and it would feel entirely inappropriate to stage the race on Saturday under the circumstances.
"The fact we are racing behind closed doors means it is much easier to shift a big meeting back a day than in a normal year, and we are very appreciative of ITV'S support in agreeing to broadcast the meeting on Sunday."
He added: "This is definitely the right thing to do out of respect for the occasion and the Royal family, and we would like to commend the BHA and the various stakeholders for the speed and flexibility they've shown in making this decision."
Scotland's rugby players are due to host Italy at Scotstoun at 5pm on Saturday in the Women's Six Nations and they, too, are awaiting guidance from tournament officials on whether the match will proceed at that time.
The World Snooker Tour, meanwhile, is liaising with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport with regard to the World Championship, which is scheduled to start on Saturday in Sheffield.
Henry de Bromhead was still on cloud nine yesterday after saddling the one-two in Saturday's Grand National.
Fresh from becoming the first trainer to win the Champion Hurdle, the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup in the same week at the Cheltenham Festival, Minella Times provided the Knockeen handler with National glory at Aintree, while stablemate Balko Des Flos filled the runner-up spot.
Just as he did after arriving home from Cheltenham, De Bromhead is required to quarantine for five days under Covid-19 protocols – giving him plenty of time to reflect on the enormity of his achievements, and those of jockey Rachael Blackmore.
He said: “We got home safe and sound and I’ve a big smile on my face, that’s for sure. It’s incredible. It’s hard to take it all in, to be honest. Hopefully it will sink in eventually. It’s a shame we can't celebrate it properly, but isn't it great it was able to go ahead?”
De Bromhead’s remarkable success has been somewhat overshadowed by Blackmore, who became the first woman in history to ride the winner of the National – just as she was in the Champion Hurdle with Honeysuckle.
The trainer has nothing but praise for his stable jockey, saying: “I’m delighted for Rachael. It’s brilliant for her and no one deserves it more.”
Minella Times, Balko Des Flos and Chris's Dream – who unseated his rider four from
home in the National – were all reported to have returned to Ireland in good shape.
The winner appears unlikely to run again this season.
De Bromhead said: “They're all home and the three of them seem great.
“I haven't spoken to anyone yet regarding plans, but I'd be surprised (if he runs again this season).”
Owner JP Mcmanus was winning the Grand National for a second time following the 2010 success of Don’t Push
It, who famously provided 20-times champion jockey Sir Anthony Mccoy with his first and only victory in the race.
Frank Berry, Mcmanus’s racing manager, said: “It was a fantastic day and a great performance by Rachael and Minella Times. All credit to Henry and his team for producing the horse fit and well.
“I'm thrilled for JP and the whole family. It was a special occasion, with Rachael riding the winner – it’s a bit of history.
“Rachael has done it the hard
way. She came from the bottom up and has worked really hard. It’s great to see her getting on good horses now and she's delivering the goods.”
On future plans for Minella Times, Berry said: “You won't see him again this year. He'll have a good summer in Martinstown and we'll plan next year's campaign for him after that.
“It (next year's Grand National) is a long time away, but you’d love to think he’ll be back there again.”
The best-fancied of seven Mcmanus-owned runners in the 40-strong field was the Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now, who ran a fine race to finish third after being badly hampered by the fall of Double Shuffle at the 12th fence.
Berry said: “He ran an absolute blinder. He got caught up with a faller and Mark (Walsh) gave him a wonderful ride to nurse him back into the race. That’s the joys of the National. You need a bit of luck on the day.”