Celtic Park could host Rangers in Ramsdens Cup

Hampden will not be available on that date due to preparations for the Commonwealth Games, which take place in July and August, and Parkhead is the only other stadium capable of accommodating the vast Rangers support.

SPFL officials won’t make a decision on the final venue until they know the participants and they have traditionally taken the showpiece game around the country since the Challenge Cup came into being 23 years ago.

But Rangers are big favourites to get there and they will learn their semi-final opponents today when they will be drawn against Annan, Raith Rovers or Stenhousemuir, having beaten holders Queen of the South 3-0 on Tuesday night.

This poses another administration problem as Rangers are due to face Dunfermline Athletic in a League One match on the same weekend as the semi-final ties are scheduled.

It is understood the SPFL will not postpone Rangers v Dunfermline on 12 October as it has been picked for live TV coverage by Sky Sports and kicks off at 5.30pm.

So a new date will have to be fixed for their Ramsdens semi-final – although there is plenty of time between October and the 6 April final.

The largest crowd for a Challenge Cup Final was 13,763 when Falkirk beat St Mirren 3-0 at Fir Park, Motherwell in 1993/94.

However, if Rangers get to this year’s final there will be a massive demand among their fans that only Celtic Park is capable of meeting.

Work will begin at Hampden in November to construct a temporary running track, which also means that the League Cup semi-finals and final as well as the Scottish Cup semi-finals and final will have to be played elsewhere.