Hearts manager Craig Levein has condemned the scheduling for the Scottish Cup semi-finals as the "craziest thing", "beyond belief" and "madness", after both fixtures are set to take place in the same venue, Hampden Park, on the same day, just hours after one another.
Following the announcement from the Scottish FA this week that both League Cup semi-finals will take place at Hampden Park, just hours apart on Sunday 28th October, Hearts boss has called the move the "craziest thing" and "beyond madness". Organisers have defended the move, saying it is the "best solution", given both Old Firm clubs, Rangers and Celtic, have Europa League commitments on the Thursday before the semi-final weekend.
Hearts are set to face Celtic in the second kick off of the day at 19.45 GMT, and their boss Craig Levein has spoken out against the issue in a fiery news conference this week, stating; " We are actually discouraging fans to come to the game. It's absolute madness. I just don't understand how they can think it's alright. It just doesn't compute with me. I have got players talking to me about how disappointed their families are that they can't come and watch their dad playing in a semi final."
Levein also continued on the topic by highlighting the many issues that could arrive after the scheduling of two major sporting events, in the same venue, on the same day. Firstly he disagreed with the SFA's claim that this was the 'best solution' to the problem, as it "doesn't suit fans of any of the four clubs", and that having up to 100,000 fans in Glasgow, all on the same day "could go wrong".
Levein also confirmed that Hearts would be asking for their full allocation of tickets, 50%, but "might not sell them" in the wake of such chaotic scheduling. Finally Levein also insisted that it is not too late to change the schedule, suggesting that a postponement of the League meeting between Hearts and Celtic, due for the following weekend, to make way for the cup tie.
Hearts owner Ann Budge has also spoken of her bewilderment over the scheduling, and said in a statement that she was "astonished" by the SFA's decision.
Fellow semi-finalists Aberdeen have also announced how they are "appalled" by the decision, as they have repeatedly asked for the authorities to cease giving them what they call "unfeasible" kick-off times, after their tie with Rangers was brought forward to 12 noon GMT.