Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged the growing frustration among Celtic fans over the inconsistent kick-off times driven by TV broadcasting demands. The Scottish Cup clash against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park, scheduled for 5:30 PM on Saturday evening, is a prime example of how broadcasting schedules dictate match timings.

Traditionally, that’s when supporters would be heading home after a 3:00 PM fixture, but live TV coverage by Premier Sports has shifted the game to evening time.

Balancing Tradition and Modern Scheduling

Rodgers expressed his awareness of the situation, telling Celtic’s Youtube Channel: “Yeah, sometimes you forget what day it is when you’re in training and working so much. I think 3:00 PM on a Saturday was the norm for so many years, but now it’s about adapting. A lot of the schedule is based around TV, which, rightly or wrongly, is part of the game.”

Brendan Rodgers Celtic
Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup – Final – Celtic v Rangers – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – December 15, 2024 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates after winning the League Cup Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes

The Celtic manager was sympathetic to fans who have to navigate travel disruptions, particularly over the festive period that has just gone by, which featured back-to-back home games. Rodgers acknowledged that the cost and time associated with attending matches have become an added challenge for supporters.

“For fans who spend so much time and money travelling, especially over the Christmas period, it can be frustrating,” Rodgers continued. “But for some fans, they enjoy a later kick-off—they get the full experience. Half-five games can be rocking. It’s all about perspective, but yeah, I see the challenges.”

Pre-game tipple

Despite the drawbacks of later kick-off times, Rodgers highlighted the atmosphere that evening fixtures can bring to Celtic Park. “Some people will love that kick off time, by half-five you’re absolutely rocking and rolling by that point,” he jokingly smiled, inferring some fans might have had a few by the time they get to the stadium.

With Celtic set to face Kilmarnock under the lights at Parkhead, Rodgers will be hoping that his team delivers a performance worthy of progression. Kilmarnock is the only blemish on his cup record from both spells in charge of Celtic. The Hoops were dumped from the League Cup last season at the first hurdle away at Rugby Park. Let’s hope McInnes and his side have no joy in Glasgow.

1 COMMENT

  1. That “ blip” at Rugby Park was a very corrupt call that much to everyone’s surprise, even Derek McInnes admitted, was a bad call not to award a last minute penalty to Celtic as Haksabanovic was brought down as he was about to score. When McInnes admits that against Celtic, it is not even questionable! He is the most blinkered and anti-Celtic manager in history!
    We were poor that day, but still cheated.

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