The fixture scheduling headache for Celtic and Rangers after Scottish Cup draw to avoid unthinkable Dundee scenario

Rangers and Celtic could give the SFA something of a fixture headache for their cup ties at Dundee and Dundee United – IF the two Glasgow clubs progress in Europe.

Scotland's representatives in the Europa League and Europa Conference League are in action this week as they take on Borussia Dortmund and Bodo/Glimt respectively.

But by winning their ties they could cause Hampden planners to rip up the schedule thanks to how their round of 16 fixtures would align with the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Both sides are due in Dundee with Rangers facing the Dens Park side while Celtic take on United.

But neither would be able to play on the Saturday if they're still cooling off from European action two nights prior.

Playing on the same day would be a complete non-starter, too.

Even when stadia are in different areas of a city, the police and the game's authorities usually take a dim view to scheduling rivals on the same day in close proximity.

But two sets of rival fans descending on the same street?

Clearly there's no chance the pair of ties will take place on the same day and if both Celtic and Rangers progress the only solution seems to be shifting one of the ties to a Monday night.

It was done in the fifth round with Dundee themselves sealing progression up at Peterhead on Valentine's Day.

Monday, March 14 would in the sweet spot of allowing three days since the first legs of European action on March 10 and before the second legs on March 17.

The SFA's hands appear tied besides that solution but it all depends on how both Glasgow sides fare in the coming two weeks.

It's not the first time their European participation has caused fixture issues as the Betfred Cup semi-finals were originally scheduled to take