Ryan Stevenson brands Hearts against Rangers ticket split as SPFL stupidity but predicts it lights a Hampden fire

The SPFL's decision not to hand Hearts a 50-50 split of tickets for the Viaplay Cup semi final against Rangers is absolute stupidity. But sadly with these guys in charge it doesn’t surprise me.

I just don’t know how they can think it’s acceptable to give Hearts 18,000 - maybe rising to 20,000 - in a 52,000 stadium? Well I do, actually. They’ve just caved in to Rangers, it’s plain as day. It’s a joke. Hearts could take 30,000 fans to Hampden, no problem.

Steven Naismith was spot on with his argument. If the SPFL allocated the clubs an equal share of tickets to start with -then one had failed to sell their share by a certain point - then they could be handed over. That’s common sense. Unfortunately that’s not the decision makers’ strong point. The bottom line is they don’t seem to understand the fans.

Yes Rangers have more supporters overall but the point is if there’s a demand for a 50-50 split then that’s what it should be at a neutral stadium. Hearts are a massive club for goodness sake.

Fair enough if it was Inverness or someone, and I don’t mean that with any disrespect, but you want Hampden to look rammed with maroon on one side and blue on the other.

This is Rangers v Hearts. One of the best fixtures in Scottish football. If I was still a Hearts player I’d be livid. They will want to look around and see a wall of maroon and white going round half the stadium rather than just at one end. But I don’t actually see it being a disadvantage.

If anything it could be fuel to the fire. My message would be to use it as motivation and get to the final where they will absolutely be guaranteed to get a 50/50 against Hibs or Aberdeen.