Inverness manager Billy Dodds has argued the traditional Scottish Cup final kick-off time should not be moved to suit anyone else.
Both Caley Thistle and Celtic expressed major disappointment after it was announced their Hampden meeting on June 3 would kick off at 5.30pm in a break with a long-standing convention.
The evening kick-off for the game, which will be shown live on the BBC and Viaplay, appears to have been moved so as not to clash with the Manchester derby FA Cup final, which kicks off at 3pm and will be screened in Scotland by both the BBC and STV.
Celtic criticised a lack of consultation after the Scottish Football Association made the announcement and Dodds feels the situation is unfair.
In a clip shown by BBC Scotland, the former Rangers striker said: “Any time I have been involved in Scottish Cup finals as a player and a coach, you can’t beat three o’clock on a Saturday for your showpiece but suddenly it’s gone to 5.30 which is a shame for our game up here because, for me, others are getting looked after better.
“It’s not ideal. I don’t think we should ever move our showpiece final to suit anybody.
“I can only imagine it’s for TV rights or something and we don’t want to clash.
“It’s not ideal for me but I’m just glad we’re there. I would rather, like everybody else, 3pm on Saturday should be your showpiece final.”
From a players’ perspective, Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley was not too concerned but expressed sympathy with Inverness fans, the majority of whom are set to spend their post-match Saturday night out on buses.
O’Riley said: “I don’t mind. I suppose because it’s a bit later we get to sleep a bit more, so that’s one positive.
“It’s another game, a different time of day and if you win it you win a trophy, that’s the main thing.”
Asked about the possible problems Inverness fans could have in getting back home after the game, he said: “I didn’t really think about that but I’m sure that’s quite brutal, but they can probably make the most of a night out in Glasgow if they chose to.”
'It's on me' - Rodgers takes blame for Celtic changes in nervy Falkirk triumph
Brendan Rodgers said his wholesale Celtic changes might have backfired after resorting to the bench to overturn a deficit in their 5-2 win over Falkirk in the Scottish League Cup.
Rodgers made eight changes to the side that thumped Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Wednesday, but the hosts found themselves behind early on.
Ross MacIver handed Falkirk the lead in the 11th minute, with Paulo Bernardo's leveller cancelled out by Finn Yeats in first-half injury time.
The Celtic head coach made a quadruple substitution on the hour mark, with the introductions of Nicolas Kuhn and Arne Engels proving decisive in deciding the contest.
Kuhn provided the assists for Adam Idah's quickfire double, before the German got himself on the scoresheet with a brace of his own to secure Celtic's semi-final spot.
The Bhoys will face Aberdeen in the semi-finals, with Rodgers expecting another difficult test for his side.
"It's always a risk making changes. You could see that connection wasn't quite there for the first hour," Rodgers said.
"If there's any blame on the first hour, it's on me. I make the changes. Falkirk were aggressive and pressed us really well. Full credit to them.
"Looking at the Aberdeen results, they've been excellent. When it comes round, it will be a good game."
Rodgers lauds Celtic's 'hunger' after cup triumph over Hibs
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed the hunger of his side after they brushed aside Hibernian on Sunday.
Rodgers' side are into the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup after a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park.
Daizen Maeda scored twice in the opening 15 minutes during a one-sided start before Nicolas Kuhn's second-half finish made sure of victory after Mykola Kuharevich's header had the visitors back in the contest.
Celtic will face Falkirk in the next round, where Rodgers will hope his Scottish Premiership champions can replicate Sunday's fine performance.
"I thought we were excellent from the start of the game. We showed our hunger," Rodgers said after the comfortable triumph.
"We said before the game that our playmaker today would be our counter-pressing. It was there and we were winning so many second balls.
"Our only real danger was from throw-ins. They've got guys on either side who can throw it in and add a little bit of pressure and make you fret a little bit.
"We dealt well with that, and their header was a great header. We don't have any complaints. We could maybe have shifted our wall back a bit but we'll learn from that."
This victory came just a week after Celtic had dispatched the same opponents 2-0, their second victory in as many league games to start the season.
The Hoops also hammered Kilmarnock 4-0 in their Scottish Premiership opener, with an away trip to St. Mirren the next test of their title defence.
An Old Firm challenge then awaits as Celtic welcome Rangers on September 1, though Rodgers will be confident of his side's capabilities based on their early showings this term.
'Who knows what will happen?' - Celtic loanee Idah unsure of future after Scottish Cup matchwinner
Adam Idah revelled in his last-gasp winner for Celtic in their Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers, but admits he is uncertain of his future.
The Norwich City loanee, who arrived from Carrow Road in February on a deal until the end of the season, was the hero at Hampden Park as the Scottish Premiership champions completed the double in dramatic fashion.
Substitute Idah reacted quickest in the 90th minute, with the final goalless and seemingly heading for extra-time, pouncing on the loose ball to slot away the rebound after Jack Butland could only parry Paulo Bernardo's fierce strike.
And the Republic of Ireland international revealed his joy at delivering the goods for Brendan Rodgers' side at such a crucial moment.
"I came here to try and score as many goals as I can," he told BBC Scotland. "I didn't think I’d score a goal like this, in front of all these fans – it's an amazing feeling.
"It's hard to put it into words. Everyone can see what it means to the players, the fans. Especially from a boy, being Irish, always supporting Celtic, it's amazing.
"Football's a tricky situation. I do love it here. It's a great club. I'm still contracted with Norwich City, who knows what will happen?"
Meanwhile, skipper Callum McGregor saluted the character demonstrated by his team-mates in securing the double against their bitter rivals.
"The mentality in this group, inside this building, inside this club, the fanbase – we just want to win trophies," he said.
"We know it's never going to be perfect, you're never going to turn up in all the cup finals. Rangers are a good team, they made it a good old-fashioned derby game, big tackles in there.
"But this group – they find the moment of quality, they stick together and they come out winners.
"Honestly, I’m delighted. If we turned up today and didn't win, everyone forgets about the league, we understand the pressure we're under."
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