BT SPORT pundit Stephen Craigan has claimed the credit on behalf of BT Sport for the scheduling decision taken yesterday by the SPFL to stage both semi-final of the League Cup on the same day and at the same venue – Hampden.
It is worth noting that in the barrage of responses – some of which are highlighted below – supporters of three of the semi-final teams are up in arms while one lot have had nothing to say about it. From that we can probably assume that they are pleased with the decision.
Scottish Sunday ⚽️. What a day of football as both @Betfred League Cup semi finals will grace Hampden Park on @btsportfootball. Inventive and innovative, BT Sport at its best AGAIN with @spfl ????????⚽️
— Stephen Craigan (@stephencraigan) September 27, 2018
BT Sport seem to be giving the day a title – Scottish Sunday – and Craigan and his employers seem to misjudge the feelings among at least three sets of supporters after Neil Doncaster’s announcement late yesterday afternoon.
“What a day of football as both Betfred League Cup semi finals will grace Hampden Park on BT Sport football,” Craigan boasted, calling the scheduling plan…”Inventive and innovative, BT Sport at its best AGAIN with SPFL.”
Incredible! Reactions weren’t slow to follow for the former Motherwell defender’s comments…
“If BT Sport are in any way responsible for this then they can go and take a flying feck at a rolling doughnut.”
“Wise up. Dons supporters shafted again. First train into Glasgow is not until 12:15, game ko 12:00 so what’s so inventive about that? Plus you think the pitch will be in top condition for second game? How about a simple idea moving one semi to the following weekend? But aye u drool over it.”
“Easy for him to say, he probably lives 20 minutes from the stadium. Absolutely shocking, both games in Glasgow as well, pathetic. What’s inventive in this?”
“Sorry Stephen, this is a shambles. Both semi’s ruined for travelling supporters. Aberdeen and Hearts should refuse to play. This is going to blow up in the broadcasters face, with very bad publicity.”
“Wow – so you actually think making it difficult for fans / stopping young fans from attending games is good? Can you remember when you played the game, honestly trying to tell us it was it better to have a tv camera rather than full crowds creating atmosphere? Just frightening!”
“You having a laugh Crags? Sunday service on the trains. Aberdeen fans struggling to make KO, Hearts Fans May struggle to get home if ET. All 4 fan bases that hate each other in the city in the one day. In what world is that a good idea?”
“Sorry Stephen – you have massively missed mark with this. Rather than innovative and inventive I would go ‘contemptuous’ and ‘total shambles’.”
“No Stephen, it’s a disgrace. What about the fans that want to go? Logistically, it’s a nightmare. What about the kids who were expecting to go to their first semi-final? 19:45 on a Sunday before school? That’ll work. It needs changing.”
“Is everyone in the media seriously this out of touch with the fans? Innovative? Have a word Craigan, whole thing is a farce.”
“This is a sport that is played in front of people and is televised. It is not a television event. It is in fact, the final insult, for those travelling to a Sunday night 7.45 kick off, in a long line of betrayals of the paying fans.”
“Four sets of fans in Glasgow on the same day, all who hate each other, recipe for disaster.”
“Are you for real. If you don’t recognise what a total farce is then maybe you shouldn’t be involved in Scottish football. Worst fixture arrangements in my 50 + years being a football supporter.”
“I’m sorry Stephen but if you’re honestly believing this is innovative and inventive you’re so wide of the mark I truly despair. Had you down as an impartial and fair pundit but hey ho.”
“Honestly thought you were the sensible one out of the BT crew. The contempt shown to travelling fans is being hailed by you as a well thought out plan…..wow!”
‘og, Craigan”…
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