Auchinleck Talbot has announced the relocation of their Scottish Cup fourth-round match against Celtic. Initially scheduled to take place at Beechwood Park, the match will now occur at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock.
Concerns Over Infrastructure
The decision comes after discussions with various stakeholders, including the Scottish FA and Police Scotland. Auchinleck Talbot officials expressed that concerns regarding the local infrastructure’s capacity for a high-profile event influenced this outcome.
- Original Venue: Beechwood Park
- New Venue: Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
- Original Capacity: 4,000 people
- New Capacity: 15,000 people
- Date of Match: Sunday, 18 January
Match Broadcast Information
The match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports. The tie pits the sixth-tier Auchinleck Talbot against Celtic, who have won the championship 42 times.
Stakeholder Involvement
In their statement, Auchinleck Talbot thanked several organizations, highlighting the collaborative nature of the decision-making process:
- East Ayrshire Council
- Police Scotland
- Scottish Football Association
- Celtic FC
- Kilmarnock FC
Additional Fourth-Round Matches
Other matches in the Scottish Cup will also be broadcast. Notably:
- Dunfermline vs. Hibernian on BBC One Scotland, Saturday, 17 January at 12:30 GMT
- Aberdeen vs. Raith Rovers on the same channel, Sunday, 18 January at 14:30 GMT
The decision to move the match has been described as “difficult and extremely disappointing” by Auchinleck Talbot. However, the club remains committed to providing a safe environment for fans and players alike.
