If you Google ‘the FA Cup has lost it’s magic’ the tax-dodging search engine will come back with 11.5million hits.
That about says it all about the so-called most prestigious cup competition on this or any other planet.
FA Cup third round Saturday has been replaced by third round Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, while the Premier League big boys don’t even bother sending out their top teams any more.
It’s hardly a giant killing when a side of League Two scrappers take down a bunch of academy school kids who wear diamond earrings that cost more than the wee team’s star striker.
Ask Everton about the magic of the FA Cup. Their first choice side couldn’t even beat their rivals Liverpool, despite Jurgan Klopp sending out a starting line up who wouldn’t need a Mach 3 razor between them.
English football might have all the dosh but at least we have something a bit different north of the border.
The Scottish Cup still means something to us. Especially this weekend.
The fourth round is where the big boys come in and there won’t be any reserve sides getting sent out as there’s too much at stake.
It’s even better to come back to after the top flight has been in hibernation for three weeks – and it’s clear the punters have been pinning to return.
Even the supporters who will have to hit the road are getting ready to pile on to the buses on the road to Hampden.
East of Scotland outfit Broxburn are taking an army of more than 1600 to Paisley to take on St Mirren.
But they are not the only ones.
Celtic fans will take over Firhill with more than 8,000 expected on Saturday evening.
Hibs are facing a Sunday showdown with Dundee United on Tayside and they will take more than 3,000 fans to Tannadice.
It’s a similar picture all over the country. Raith Rovers will take more than 500 to Livingston in the hope of causing a shock, while high-flying League Two side Edinburgh City are planning to take a few hundred as they look to topple Premiership Hamilton Accies on their own turf.
The Highlanders will head down the road in their droves with Inverness Caley Thistle at Alloa and Ross County going all the way to Ayr, while Dumbarton are taking a couple of hundred up the A90 to Aberdeen.
Number of away fans
Partick Thistle v Celtic – 8000+
Dundee United v Hibs – 3000+
Dundee v Motherwell – 1000+
St Mirren v Broxburn 1600
Rangers v Stranraer – 500
Livingston v Raith Rovers – 500+
Hamilton v Edinburgh City – 150+
