Scottish Cup - will it be played?

[Diclonius]

I imagine it's likely it won't go ahead this year now.

Would be a real shame as I do enjoy a Scottish Cup, but totally understand why it might not be possible.

[Oscar T Grouch]

It is going to be tough to fit is into the rest of the season now, given the lower leagues haven't played in weeks they would need to be given time to get back up to speed and then there are still matches from previous rounds still to play, also involving lower league clubs. The SFA will not want to lose it's showcase event so they will find a way of playing it, but it will probably stretch into next season now. It would work out better for us as it would give 3rd place the Europa/Conference slot until Christmas.

[EI255]

In the whole scheme of things, does a football competition really mean that much?

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[CMurdoch]

It will be played because otherwise TV and Sponsorship money would have to be paid back.
Given there will be no replays, reaching the quarters won't take long.
Don't know if the tournament will get finished this season although the likes of Celtic don't have much on and Rangers will have the league won before the end of the month.

[scoopyboy]

League fixtures have been brought forward to fill in Scottish Cup weekends so there should be time later

[NASAHIBS]

Looking at the fixture dates, I think they might try and blitz the cup in a short number of weeks. They've already created a space by bringing forward SPL33 fixture to 20 Feb. So, as it stands there are no SPL fixtures between 21 March and SPL34 on 17 April. With the last fixture of the international break on 31 March, and games played to a finish in the Scottish could it be played out midweek and weekends in that period with the final staying 8 May. The other option being, bringing the post split fixtures forward to that space with Scottish getting played out late April into the final on 8 May? Just a thought. More chance of lower league involvement in cup still happening too.

[Big_Franck]

I think there was talk of having a 10 day period later in the season, almost like a mini tournament, where they could play 3 rounds of the Scottish cup in that 10 day period.

If they're bringing forward Premiership league games to the currently vacant Scottish Cup weekends, then that might actually work.

[bingo70]

In the whole scheme of things, does a football competition really mean that much?

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Yes.

Competition is worth millions of pounds to the game which in turns effects people’s livelihoods.

[Diclonius]

I think there was talk of having a 10 day period later in the season, almost like a mini tournament, where they could play 3 rounds of the Scottish cup in that 10 day period.

If they're bringing forward Premiership league games to the currently vacant Scottish Cup weekends, then that might actually work.

That would be pretty good actually.

[Billy Whizz]

League fixtures have been brought forward to fill in Scottish Cup weekends so there should be time later

Absolutely, we have no league games between playing Livvi on 20th March and 1st game post split game on 17th April
They should easily be able to bring list split forward
There’s is an international break on the 28th

The cup final is due on 8th May, and can’t be played later, as Hampden will be getting ready for the Euros

[bingo70]

Absolutely, we have no league games between playing Livvi on 20th March and 1st game post split game on 17th April
They should easily be able to bring list split forward
There’s is an international break on the 28th

The cup final is due on 8th May, and can’t be played later, as Hampden will be getting ready for the Euros

Can be moved into next season though like this one was?

I think there’s talk of the lower league teams dropping out as part of the deal to get their league seasons up and running again. I don’t know the ins and outs of that but saw someone on here mentioning it.

[CMurdoch]

The Scottish Cup is currently only 2 rounds behind and even if no cup matches are played in the next month we will only be 3 rounds behind.
Can easily be caught up given the top league will hit the split in a little over a month with a big window for catching up Scottish Cup rounds before the top league post split games are due to be played.

[davhibby]

The Scottish Cup is currently only 2 rounds behind and even if no cup matches are played in the next month we will only be 3 rounds behind.
Can easily be caught up given the top league will hit the split in a little over a month with a big window for catching up Scottish Cup rounds before the post split games are due to be played.

That would only be the case if the cup was made up solely of top flight teams. I think the absolute best they can manage before summer is playing everything apart from the final. There are 4 rounds to play before the semis and still no start date for League 1 and 2 sides. The weekend at the start of May that is currently scheduled for the final is the latest Hampden can be used. There’s a number of championship games that have been postponed recently- for example I’m sure I read that ICT have played once in the league so far this year- so there’s not going to be loads of empty space for championship teams to play all these extra ties.

I’d say the best case scenario which is unlikely imo would be something like this:

2nd round ties yet to be played- first week in March
3rd round- QF weekend
4th round- First week in April
QF- towards the end of April
SF- Final weekend

I’m not sure they’ll manage to fit 2 rounds in April depending on how many Championship clubs make it to the quarters.

If they try and play some ridiculous 3 rounds in 10 days thing it’ll almost certainly be a disaster

[Billy Whizz]

That would only be the case if the cup was made up solely of top flight teams. I think the absolute best they can manage before summer is playing everything apart from the final. There are 4 rounds to play before the semis and still no start date for League 1 and 2 sides. The weekend at the start of May that is currently scheduled for the final is the latest Hampden can be used. There’s a number of championship games that have been postponed recently- for example I’m sure I read that ICT have played once in the league so far this year- so there’s not going to be loads of empty space for championship teams to play all these extra ties.

I’d say the best case scenario which is unlikely imo would be something like this:

2nd round ties yet to be played- first week in March
3rd round- QF weekend
4th round- First week in April
QF- towards the end of April
SF- Final weekend

I’m not sure they’ll manage to fit 2 rounds in April depending on how many Championship clubs make it to the quarters.

If they try and play some ridiculous 3 rounds in 10 days thing it’ll almost certainly be a disaster

Would be a bit unfair on the lower league teams to play that early, they won’t have played a game for ages

[H18 SFR]

Would be a bit unfair on the lower league teams to play that early, they won’t have played a game for ages

At least they’d all be in the same boat.

[DH1875]

I think there was talk of having a 10 day period later in the season, almost like a mini tournament, where they could play 3 rounds of the Scottish cup in that 10 day period.

If they're bringing forward Premiership league games to the currently vacant Scottish Cup weekends, then that might actually work.

That actually sounds quite good.
Might even get a few fans in the later stages.

[Billy Whizz]

At least they’d all be in the same boat.

If they are playing each other, yes

[EI255]

Yes.

Competition is worth millions of pounds to the game which in turns effects people’s livelihoods.That's the point I was meaning!

Money obviously comes first before deadly pandemics in your mind.



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[basehibby]

In the whole scheme of things, does a football competition really mean that much?

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Abso-bleedin-lutely. Thoughts of 2016 for example, still lift my spirits to this day and probably will do for the rest of my life. Times that by 50,000 at least. It matters alright.

Of course it's going to be difficult but I'm glad they're going to try and push ahead with it. I'm sure that will be within the context of the situation and we'll have to wait and see how it pans out.

[CMurdoch]

That would only be the case if the cup was made up solely of top flight teams. I think the absolute best they can manage before summer is playing everything apart from the final. There are 4 rounds to play before the semis and still no start date for League 1 and 2 sides. The weekend at the start of May that is currently scheduled for the final is the latest Hampden can be used. There’s a number of championship games that have been postponed recently- for example I’m sure I read that ICT have played once in the league so far this year- so there’s not going to be loads of empty space for championship teams to play all these extra ties.

I’d say the best case scenario which is unlikely imo would be something like this:

2nd round ties yet to be played- first week in March
3rd round- QF weekend
4th round- First week in April
QF- towards the end of April
SF- Final weekend

I’m not sure they’ll manage to fit 2 rounds in April depending on how many Championship clubs make it to the quarters.

If they try and play some ridiculous 3 rounds in 10 days thing it’ll almost certainly be a disaster

Re the bold bit in your post. I don't think the SFA will care what the early rounds look like.
They will concentrate on getting the games played to ensure we meet our contractual obligations and thus get the TV and sponsorship money. Every penny is what counts for the clubs at the moment.
Based on nowt I think the smaller teams will be up and running again at the end of the month.
Covid will be under control and the weather will improve.

[B.H.F.C]

That's the point I was meaning!

Money obviously comes first before deadly pandemics in your mind.



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If they can fit it in to the fixture schedule, why not play it? The situation is improving and they can play the games safely, as they’ve done throughout.

[Eyrie]

That would only be the case if the cup was made up solely of top flight teams. I think the absolute best they can manage before summer is playing everything apart from the final. There are 4 rounds to play before the semis and still no start date for League 1 and 2 sides. The weekend at the start of May that is currently scheduled for the final is the latest Hampden can be used. There’s a number of championship games that have been postponed recently- for example I’m sure I read that ICT have played once in the league so far this year- so there’s not going to be loads of empty space for championship teams to play all these extra ties.

I’d say the best case scenario which is unlikely imo would be something like this:

2nd round ties yet to be played- first week in March
3rd round- QF weekend
4th round- First week in April
QF- towards the end of April
SF- Final weekend

I’m not sure they’ll manage to fit 2 rounds in April depending on how many Championship clubs make it to the quarters.

If they try and play some ridiculous 3 rounds in 10 days thing it’ll almost certainly be a disaster
I'm not sure how 3 rounds in ten days would be a disaster. Teams play three games in eight days when there's a midweek match. All that would be needed is to draw the rounds in advance.

[JimBHibees]

Would assume there will be some free midweeks which can be used. Also maybe use international breaks like they did with betfred but think they would be reluctant to do so.

[Andy74]

That's the point I was meaning!

Money obviously comes first before deadly pandemics in your mind.



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This is a football forum.

You’ll find that people are keen to watch football again.

There are also threads discussing the many implications of Covid.

Football seems to be important enough to you that you’ve come onto a football forum to pass comment. In the scheme of things you could be doing something far more impactful with your time eh?

[Wakeyhibee]

I think the bottom 2 leagues might even go to a reduced league playing each other twice to accommodate.

Will be less games just H&A once but the money split in the Cup will be additional to the league money, no matter how its completed.

(If safe to do so)

[jacomo]

Yes.

Competition is worth millions of pounds to the game which in turns effects people’s livelihoods.


Also, it’s the second oldest cup competition and the oldest trophy in the football world.

It’s been suspended before, but its history dates back to 1873. These things matter I think.

I can understand why it might not happen this season but it will be a real shame.

[davhibby]

I'm not sure how 3 rounds in ten days would be a disaster. Teams play three games in eight days when there's a midweek match. All that would be needed is to draw the rounds in advance.

For starters would you trust the SFA to attempt that without making at least one major error somewhere? Secondly all it would take is one postponement and the whole thing would be a mess. Either way I don’t see that being workable with trying to get the other 3 leagues to a reasonable conclusion anyway

[Kano Kirsty]

I think it should be cancelled although I don’t think it will be. Knowing the powers in our game we’ll be playing 2 games a day to squeeze it in.

[nonshinyfinish]

That would be pretty good actually.

Agreed… unless we get pumped out on day one.

[Seveno]

With the strength of our squad compared to our non-Old Firm competitors, we should be in a better position to cope with a hectic end to the season.

[G B Young]

I think it should be cancelled although I don’t think it will be. Knowing the powers in our game we’ll be playing 2 games a day to squeeze it in.

I wouldn't be bothered if they just scrapped it this season. With the lower leagues showing no signs of resuming you can't expect teams who haven't played in weeks to take part. Any sort of abridged tournament (ie without the lower league teams) would need an asterisk against it to show that not all teams were involved.

Scrapping it would also ensure we don't run the risk of the meltdowns on here following our two semi-final exits so far this season :wink:

[04Sauzee]

Lower leagues will struggle to finish the season and probably won't start back until mid March if they do. Cup will be be difficult to complete unless they play it into next season again.

[Ozyhibby]

Given our league position it’s probably better for us if it carries over into next season, given what a 3rd place finish means for the club.


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[mjhibby]

Lower leagues return being merely looked at on mar1. Odds on Scottish cup being finished next season.

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Reading between the lines I think only the top two leagues with conclude to a finish. Everything else will be scrapped.

[GreenCastle]

Reading between the lines I think only the top two leagues with conclude to a finish. Everything else will be scrapped.

Yup.

Looking at the Scottish Cup and the teams left - the remaining teams could be tested and play games.

I can’t see the lower leagues like Lowland league and women’s leagues going back anytime soon. They won’t risk it and the travel. Folk are kicking off on the Scottish FA Twitter but training is one thing - games has several risks like travel.

Going to be fun watching the fallout as teams throw toys out the pram about promotion and relegation - it was obvious this season was going to be a challenge and many teams are lucky so many games have actually taken place before they were made to stop.

[SChibs]

Should play it in a day as a 5 a side round Robin with top 2 teams going into a knockout. 15 mins game with rolling subs.

Play it at World of Football. What could go wrong?

[Blaster]

Could lower leagues continue longer into May? Or decide now to only play each other twice. Could also forget play offs and just have top team promoted / bottom team relegated?

[mjhibby]

There’s no way they can finish league one and two. Some have 19 games to go and a few 18. Also it will be 10/11 weeks with no games for these teams. The only solution I can see is to call the leagues after 18 games when they have all played each other home and away. Whether they will agree on it is another matter.

[EI255]

Abso-bleedin-lutely. Thoughts of 2016 for example, still lift my spirits to this day and probably will do for the rest of my life. Times that by 50,000 at least. It matters alright.

Of course it's going to be difficult but I'm glad they're going to try and push ahead with it. I'm sure that will be within the context of the situation and we'll have to wait and see how it pans out.So you'd gladly risk endangering masses to watch a game of football?

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[bingo70]

So you'd gladly risk endangering masses to watch a game of football?

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What masses? There’s no crowds at the game?

[GreenCastle]

Should play it in a day as a 5 a side round Robin with top 2 teams going into a knockout. 15 mins game with rolling subs.

Play it at World of Football. What could go wrong?

Tennent 6s..mad to think that used to be a thing !!

Imagine it now - would be incredible.

[basehibby]

So you'd gladly risk endangering masses to watch a game of football?

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Spare us the sanctimonious crap - get enough of that off the idiot box every night to last me a life time.

To respond to your ill thought-out question - the thread has nothing to do with the return of crowds to football - it's about whether the Scottish Cup should be completed this season and yes, I'd like to see that happen.

Pensioners and others at a high risk of suffering badly from COVID could be told to steer well clear of the grounds and team buses to keep you and your ilk from bumping your gums too much about it.

[Billy Whizz]

Peterhead manager saying scrap the lower leagues now
Would be a big problem for the Scottish cup then, delay until next season, or redraw with teams in the top 2 leagues


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56010053

[PaulSmith]

In the whole scheme of things, does a football competition really mean that much?

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Yes. Absolutely it does and we cannot, and should not, just give up everything without even a question.

[Iggy Pope]

So you'd gladly risk endangering masses to watch a game of football?

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#prayforthecardboardcutouts

[CMurdoch]

#prayforthecardboardcutouts

:greengrin:greengrin:greengrin

[hibee316]

Should play it in a day as a 5 a side round Robin with top 2 teams going into a knockout. 15 mins game with rolling subs.

Play it at World of Football. What could go wrong?

Two words -
Bubble football

[mjhibby]

I’m sure realistically the cup will carry on to next season. There is not enough time. I would have thought 18 games would be the solution for the bottom two leagues but if mcinally represents the majority view the scrapping it is the only outcome. Surely after what happened at the end of last season they are all discussing the ending of the season for them. Loads of lower league teams have at least 17/18 games to go with at best ten weeks to play them plus the backlog of cup fixtures before we even get to us coming into it. Calling the league and postponing the Scottish cup seems the only logical thing to do.