Why the rush to name Cup Final venue?

It looks like the SFA have jumped the gun by announcing the venues for the Scottish Cup semi-finals and Final.

A decision has already been taken to play the last-four ties at Ibrox in April, and the silverware will be contested at Celtic Park in May.

But if Rangers were to reach the last four, and Celtic were to go all the way to the Final, the SFA’s decision would leave them having given both Glasgow giants home advantage.

Would that be fair? No, not really.

If the Old Firm were to meet each other in the Final, then there really would be no way around it. With Hampden Park out of commission due to the Commonwealth Games, Ibrox and Celtic Park are the only two venues in Scotland capable of hosting an Old Firm game.

It might be the case that the Hoops’ home would edge it because it accommodates more fans. But maybe the SFA would deem it fairer that the team that came out of the hat first would have home advantage.

However, I’d have thought it would have made more sense to wait until the four semi-finalists were known, and then announce where the games were to be played.

If Rangers are involved, then their semi-final should go to Parkhead. If Celtic are involved, their semi-final should take place at Ibrox. That’s the fairest way for me.

I know plans have to be put in place, and there are a lot of arrangements which go into staging these events. But it’s not the World Cup Final we are trying to plan here.

And it will be interesting to see where the League Cup Final is played.

Aberdeen Hearts, Inverness Caley Thistle and St Johnstone have reached the last four. But the authorities have yet to make up their minds, and it’s strange that the venue for the Scottish Cup Final has been announced when it takes place AFTER the League Cup Final.

If Aberdeen and Caley Thistle get there, would it not make sense for the game to take place at Tannadice to save both sets of fans travelling all the way to Glasgow? If both clubs were in favour of that, then why not?

But if the powers-that-be want the match played at either Ibrox or Celtic Park to allow as many of their fans to attend the game as possible, that would also be fine.

The decision to play the Ramsdens Cup Final between Rangers and Raith Rovers at Easter Road has also caused eyebrows to be raised. Would Celtic Park not have been a better choice?

I’m of the belief that locking out in excess of 30,000 supporters, who would have paid at least £25 for a ticket, doesn’t make much sense financially for anyone.