THE Celtic v Dundee United Scottish Cup quarter-final replay could be rescheduled for next month
After the 1-1 stalemate at Tannadice, it was assumed the second game would take place at Parkhead a week on Wednesday – three days after the clubs meet in the League Cup Final at Hampden.
However, 18th March has been set aside by UEFA for the Champions League with Barcelona playing Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund facing Juventus in the second legs of their last 16 ties.
European football’s governing body does not allow games to be broadcast in competition to their showpiece tournament with Sky Sports, who covered the Tayside Cup-tie at the weekend, almost certain to request screening the replay which is a normal practice.
Ronny Deila’s side are already scheduled to meet Dundee at Dens Park in a rearranged league match that evening, but that encounter will not be shown live.
And there is no chance of the replay being moved to the following Wednesday, 25th March, with Scotland due to play Northern Ireland in an international friendly at Hampden which will be beamed live by Sky Sports.
Celtic are scheduled to visit St Mirren on 3rd April leaving 8th April, which is the date of a re-arranged match with Partick Thistle, as the first available window of opportunity – only 10 days before the semi-finals.
In the 2010/11 season, the Hoops faced a 6pm kick-off away against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park to avoid a clash with UEFA dates, it is highly unlikely that will be seen as a compromise in this situation.
Liverpool face an identical situation in the English Cup after their goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Sunday.
The replay at Ewood Park has now been pencilled in for either 7th or 8th April with BT Sport, who covered the tie on Merseyside, likely to again show the action live.
