East Kilbride v Celtic: Hamilton 'unable to host' Scottish Cup tie

Hamilton Academical have told the Scottish FA they are unable to host the Scottish Cup fifth-round tie between East Kilbride and Celtic on 7 February.

Lowland League club East Kilbride had been told by the governing body that it would have to be played at New Douglas Park as their K Park was not suitable.

It said rules dictated that it take place at the nearest suitable stadium.

But Premiership club Accies now say they already have a full programme of events planned for their home pitch.

"It has recently been reported that we will be hosting the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round fixture between East Kilbride and Celtic on Sunday 7 February," they said in a club website statement.

"We have a full programme of academy, youth and community events already planned for that weekend and have no intention of altering our club programme and, as a result, will not be in a position to make New Douglas Park available to stage the tie."

East Kilbride secured the biggest game in their history by beating Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale 2-0 on Wednesday.

The SFA announced immediately after the game that the tie would be played at New Douglas Park.

However, East Kilbride pointed out that it had been their seventh choice of venue.

They had sent a list to the SFA containing seven possible venues to face the Scottish champions, with their own K Park at the top despite it having a capacity of only around 500.

The SFA later issued a statement clarifying its decision and pointing out that section 13 of the competition's rules stated that, if a club's home ground was unsuitable, a tie would be played at the nearest registered venue.

East Kilbride had also suggested the national stadium at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Celtic Park, Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, Airdrieonians' Excelsior Stadium and Partick Thistle's Firhill Stadium in preference to Hamilton's ground.

Nobody from Hamilton, the SFA, or East Kilbride was available for comment following Accies' website statement.