Celtic and Rangers in Premier Sports Cup double header TV pick but kick-off times spark fury

The live TV selections for the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup have been confirmed – and they haven’t gone down well with two of the clubs.

Rangers booked their spot with a 3-1 in win over Queen of the South in the last round. Celtic then joined their rivals in the last eight with an impressive 4-1 win in the Highlands against Ross County before the two went head-to head at Parkhead on Saturday, the Hoops running out 4-1 winners.

Now the broadcaster and main cup sponsor Premier Sports have announced both of the Glasgow clubs’ ties in the next round will be on the box. Three of the four fixtures have been selected for live broadcast, with Dundee United’s trip to Kilmarnock first up on Tuesday, October 18. Then there’s an Old Firm double header the following day with staggered kick-off times. Motherwell host Celtic at Fir Park on Wednesday, October 19 and that encounter will kick off at 6.15pm, much to the disgust of the two clubs.

As soon as that is done and dusted, it’s over to Ibrox where Rangers take on Dundee for a place in the last four. Gio van Bronckhorst’s side will kick-off at 8.15pm. Both matches come in the midst of a punishing schedule for both of the big two. Their Champions League group stage involvement makes for a particularly busy October.

Motherwell chief Alan Burrows hit out at the early kick-off. He said: "Both Motherwell FC & Celtic FC raised concerns around the kick-off time based on the difficulties it will present to supporters wishing to attend the match. We asked the broadcaster to consider having the two live matches, scheduled for that day, run simultaneously on different channels.

"However, we have been informed that this is not possible due to other contractual commitments and