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Celtic see Scottish League Cup semi-final switched to new venue

Both sides had been scheduled to play in Glasgow on the same day but a decision has been made to avoid any potential clashes

Celtic have had their Scottish League Cup semi final switched to Murrayfield

CELTIC’S Scottish League Cup semi-final against Hearts on 28 October has been relocated to Murrayfield with a 1.30pm kick-off.

BBC Scotland adds that Rangers will face Aberdeen on the same day at Hampden three hours later.

 Celtic have had their Scottish League Cup semi final switched to Murrayfield
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Celtic have had their Scottish League Cup semi final switched to MurrayfieldCredit: Getty Images

The games were both originally set to take place in Glasgow, causing plenty of concern for locals and police.

But the decision has been made to avoid any potential clashes by relocating Celtic's match to a new venue.

Celtic were keen on a ballot to decide which team should play in Edinburgh after the Scottish Police Federation blasted the original idea as “idiotic.”

Hearts and Abderdeen were also keen to swap one match over due to reduced public transport in Glasgow on the day.

 Rangers will continue to face Abderdeen at Hampden Park
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Rangers will continue to face Abderdeen at Hampden Park

An SPFL spokesman said: “A wide variety of issues have been considered, including the ability of local transport networks to safely and efficiently handle the flow of fans from all four teams to and from the stadia.

“We warmly welcomed the Scottish FA’s intervention. This has given us the chance to quickly make alternative arrangements. We are now finalising details.

“It simply is not possible to satisfy the preferences of all parties involved and it is the responsibility of the SPFL Board to weigh the various factors and arguments before reaching a final decision.

“We will be announcing details of ticket allocations in the next few days and now look forward to focusing on the forthcoming semi-final matches between four of the top teams in the country.”

Celtic park DJ plays Sir Rod Stewart's cover of Irish rebel song Grace
 Brendan Rodgers had been keen for a ballot to decide which fixture should be moved
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 Brendan Rodgers had been keen for a ballot to decide which fixture should be movedCredit: Getty Images
 There were concerns over potential clashes in Glasgow as well as the lack of public transport
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There were concerns over potential clashes in Glasgow as well as the lack of public transportCredit: PA:Press Association
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