Rangers icon Barry Ferguson hopes the Scottish FA see sense and move the Scottish Cup final away from Hampden so fans can attend – imploring them to move Heaven and Earth to open up the prospect of Rangers celebrating a domestic double in the sunshine at Celtic Park.
With the Old Firm meeting this weekend, there is the prospect of moving the final to either Ibrox or Parkhead and allowing fans in with Hampden unable to host spectators due to UEFA’s setting the stadium up to host Euro 2020 fixtures.
Ferguson knows what it is like to lift the famous Scottish Cup trophy over his head at a packed Hampden, but thinks there would be no better way for Rangers to end this season than celebrating a domestic double on their bitter rivals’ turf.
With around 12,000 fans set to be allowed into Hampden for the Euros, Ferguson is desperate to see supporters allowed into the Scottish Cup final – insisting the fans, clubs and players all deserve it.
“Without disrespecting any other teams,” Ferguson said, “We all know whoever walks out of Ibrox as winners tomorrow will be red-hot favourites to go on and lift a very special piece of silverware. The oldest cup in world football.
“Trust me, it’s an incredible feeling when you’re lifting it above your head and it’s draped in red, white and blue ribbons.
“So I’m already looking forward to May 22 and I can picture it already. Hopefully, if the authorities have any sense, they’ll move the end-of-season finale away from Hampden so that at least some fans can be allowed in.
“I know there will be contractual issues to get around but they can’t be insurmountable. After the year the world has just gone through, the idea of getting even just 10,000 fans into a stadium would feel like a shot in the arm to the whole country. The SFA should move heaven and earth to make it happen.
“And if Rangers win tomorrow that would open up the prospect of going to Parkhead in the glorious sunshine with the chance to complete a league and cup double for the first time in 12 long years – in front of their own supporters.
“I couldn’t dream of a better way for them to bring the curtain down on such an outstanding campaign. The club deserves it. The fans deserve it. But it’s up to these players to make it happen and I have to say, I don’t doubt them for a second.”
In other news, an EFL manager has responded to reports Rangers are chasing one of his players ahead of a summer swoop
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