Aberdeen set for SPFL meeting with Rangers with new demand
Aberdeen are set to request an even 50/50 split on tickets for the ViaPlay Cup final clash with Rangers on 17 December, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper reported on its website (6 November) that Aberdeen are set to ask the SPFL for the opportunity to sell half of Hampden Park as they look to rule out any sort of potential advantage for Philippe Clement’s side given the history of the fixture.
When the sides last met in the 2000 Scottish Cup, an argument emerged when the Light Blues were afforded 7,000 more tickets than Aberdeen, with a meeting between Hampden chiefs and both clubs set.
The Dons don’t want to harm their chances, given the final is already being played in Glasgow rather than Edinburgh and it is understood that Aberdeen will ask for an agreement which will allow them to hand back any unsold tickets to ensure Hampden is sold out.
Even crowd
It feels only right that the final sees an even split between Rangers and Aberdeen supporters in the stands to make it as big an occasion as possible and ensure that it is an even affair so that it can be the best spectacle for all fans.
Whether or not the more Rangers-dominated crowd had an impact back in 2000 is unknown as the scoreline would suggest that the Light Blues were just the much better side on the day, but if it is possible to have an even split in the stands it would make perfect sense.
The plan to sell any unsold tickets back to Hampden will ensure that the stadium will be packed for the December final no matter whether or not it is an entirely even 50/50 split and will ensure that both sides have plenty of support behind them.
However, it is unknown whether or not the SPFL will even agree to this request after Hearts were given a smaller allocation than Rangers for their semi-final on Sunday (5 November) due to the inability to segregate Hampden’s North Stand.
It will be interesting to see what approach the SPFL take in reply to this request. If they deny it and Rangers receive a bigger allocation, it will only increase the level of expectation on Clement and his side to lift the trophy.
In other Rangers news, Keith Jackson has hit out as SPFL bosses following their actions before the Gers’ semi-final win over Hearts