The upcoming Scottish Cup semi finals will be memorable for very different reasons.
Clearly, the Glasgow Derby will be the fixture that everyone is focused on as Celtic and Rangers fight it out for a place in the final.
Celtic will be looking to complete a possible treble and Rangers will be doing all they can to defend their cup and stop that.
It is bound to be an epic match full of headlines and incident.
And the other semi-final between Ayr and Falkirk will also generate headlines for various different reasons. The main one being that Hampden is likely to be half-full for the clash.
Ticket pricing has been hitting the headlines for both matches and whilst all four clubs will get an equal share of the gate, Falkirk CEO Jamie Swinney said his clubs hands were pretty much tied when it came to the pricing strategy.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Swinney said, “It is difficult and I’m sure if ourselves and Inverness were able to, we would have selected a lower price for our semi-final.
“But as you say, you’re in with two of the biggest clubs in the country who will sell out and the pot is split equally.
“So there is only so much that you can do in these situations and as it happens we have to listen to the Scottish FA and their reason for the price and you have to listen to all the clubs.
“And it just put us in a position where we felt it was a little bit higher.
“And ourselves and Inverness obviously play at a lower level so the ticket price supporters are used to paying is significantly lower on a weekly basis as well whereas Celtic and Rangers fans are maybe more used to paying £30 a ticket.
“You don’t get that in the Championship or League One.”
In a way I can understand his point. The price to watch lower league teams in a Hampden semi final is high but will they have the same complaint should they reach the final or when the cheque from the SFA arrives at their door?
That is the price of success I’m afraid.
Good luck, Paddy.
Hail Hail.
Thank you mate!