ALBION ROVERS are to consider seeking permission to change the venue of their Ramsdens Cup first round tie with Rangers as a result of concerns over crowd segregation and policing.
The draw was made at Hampden yesterday and comprised one of the first items of business for the Scottish Professional Football League but the governing body could now be solicited to amend the fixture list, with Airdrieonians' Excelsior Stadium considered an alternative.
Rangers are currently scheduled to visit Cliftonhill on Saturday, July 27, the same day Airdrie host Hamilton Academical. Airdrie's artificial pitch would allow one of those ties to be held the following day, while the four stands would enable Strathclyde Police and officials to better steward supporters. The stadium's larger capacity would also make the tie more lucrative for Rovers, since their own ground is only able to hold 1200 fans. It is understood that number would be reduced should the SPFL deny a request for a change of venue.
Frank Meade, the financial director at Rovers, was yesterday unable to confirm whether such a switch was allowed, since the Ramsdens Cup has now moved from the auspices of the Scottish Football League to the SPFL. However, he said the Coatbridge club would contact police to determine whether to pursue a switch.
"We would like to keep the tie at home but we need to discuss that with the police," said Meade. "The other issue is that Airdrie are also at home on the same day. Maybe the game can be moved to a Sunday or whatever.
"It's not an easy game to segregate and it's something we need to look at. We also need to look at the rules; in the Scottish Cup you aren't allowed to move fixtures around but we will be guided by the police and I'm also assuming the SPFL board will also be guided by the police. But I wouldn't anticipate any problems at all."
As for Rangers, they plan to make their voices heard within the SPFL after being granted full membership status. The Ibrox club were barred from voting in recent debates due to their associate member status but the Scottish Football Association voted to scrap that at their Annual General Meeting earlier this month.
"Now we are full members we will be determined to make our own views known," said Craig Mather, the chief executive. "Rangers have had to tread carefully but we will now be moving forward with greater purpose on and off the pitch as well as within the corridors of power."
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