Ange Postecoglou and Celtic hierarchy's Hampden presence blamed for ref influence in YOUTH Cup Final - Hotline

Football fans need no excuse to feel like second class citizens but the decision by the SFA to shunt the Scottish Cup Final forward to avoid a clash with the FA Cup Final continues to cause unrestrained fury.

Scant consideration for Celtic or Inverness supporters was the theme of the day. William Masson, Aboyne , said: "It's a disgraceful decision by the SFA to hold the final at 5.30pm. Once again football fans, the lifeblood of the game, are shafted because the broadcasters hold sway. But as I often say, the clubs are the organisations that sign these broadcast deals. Unfortunately the days of Jim McLean taking £1 from a fan over £2 from TV are long gone."

Paul Price, Belfast , said: "The timing of the cup final is the SFA showing their contempt for Celtic. This is going to inconvenience everyone and I'm sure the police aren't too pleased with supporters having two and a half hours more drinking time in Glasgow either." Davy Matson emailed: "I've renamed the SFA the Scottish Farce Association. What on earth has a train strike in England got to do with a Scottish Cup Final? Absolutely nothing, yet there is no consideration for the Inverness fans with the priority to keep the Manchester lot happy. Those who agreed to this should be thrown out of office now, no handshake no pension."

Ian Kennedy, East Kilbride, said: "So the Scottish Cup Final kick-off is changed at the behest of broadcasters. Did those broadcasters go to the English FA and ask them to reinstate their original K.O. time of 5.15pm? Of course not, let's just tell little Scotland what to do. The tail does indeed wag the dog."

Jake Curley, Edinburgh, said: "What a dilemma. Manchester United v Manchester City or Celtic v Inverness? Even though Celtic