Big screen call for Edinburgh Derby Cup Final

CALLS have been raised for the Capital’s biggest derby for a century to be shown on big screens around the city.

Both Hibs and Hearts fans groups have heralded the proposal of showing the game on the screen in Festival Square as “a tremendous idea” which would help generate a “carnival atmosphere”.

However police and council officials have refused to be drawn on whether it could go ahead.

Mike Riley, chairman of the Hibs Supporters’ Club said: “Not everybody will get a ticket and I think this is a tremendous idea to let everyone join together in a carnival atmosphere and see the game.

“It also offers a great chance to show everyone that football in Scotland isn’t just about the west of the country.

“You’ll always get some idiots to let the side down but I think the majority of fans would be good natured.”

This was echoed by Steve Kilgour, secretary of Hearts Supporters’ Clubs, who said: “I’m sure this could work if set up correctly, the big concerns would obviously be drunken opposition fans being at the same venue but why not have two sites, one in Leith Links and the other in Saughton Park?”

However city councillor and festivals champion Steve Cardownie urged caution and said: “Demand for tickets will of course be far greater than supply however I fear erecting big screens in public spaces would pose a lot of problems. A host of policing and security issues would have to be addressed.”

A council spokesperson was also cautious about giving the green light to any plans before more detailed discussions take place.

She said: “The Council and its partners will consider these suggestions carefully.”