Murrayfield may host Hearts-Hibs cup semi says Rod Petrie

Scottish FA president questions the safety of allowing up to 50,000 to travel to Glasgow

Murrayfield played host to last season's Betfred Cup semi-final between Hearts and Celtic. Picture: SNS

Scottish FA president Rod Petrie has raised the possibility of Murrayfield being used to stage the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final between Hearts and Hibs.

The match was due to be played at Hampden last month but was postponed when all football was suspended amid the global coronavirus pandemic. It is unclear when the game will now be played but Petrie is adamant the competition will be completed and questioned the wisdom of allowing up to 50,000 supporters from Edinburgh to travel through to Glasgow for the tie.

“We need to be open-minded enough to look at all considerations, Petrie said when asked about the possibility of Murrayfield staging the match.

“It may be that the risks of 50,000 people travelling from Edinburgh to Glasgow is outweighed by other measures but equally we need to do it in a manner that is fundamentally safe and creates a spectacle and provides some income for the participating clubs. That’s important, too.”

Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby, staged last season’s Betfred Cup semi-final between Hearts and Celtic in front of 61,161 fans.

The capacity of the Edinburgh stadium is 67,000, which is 15,000 bigger than Hampden’s.

The other semi-final is between Aberdeen and Celtic. The final was due to have taken place on 9 May.

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