A MASS Scottish Cup football ticket scramble is set to break out in Moray.
Forres Mechanics have been given the go ahead to stage their Scottish Cup tie against Rangers at their tiny Mosset Park ground.
With the stadium’s capacity limited to under 1,500 fans, demand for a ticket to the second round match on September 29 will be huge.
But club manager Charlie Rowley said he was overjoyed that his team would be on home soil for the visit of the Ibrox giants.
The big match may even be moved from its scheduled date, with the possibility that Sky or BBC will snap up rights to screen the match live on TV.
Rowley said: "This is exactly what we wanted. I’m just absolutely delighted.
"We’re now trying to put things in place to raise the capacity for the match."
Mosset Park’s official capacity is 1,476, although the stadium may be able to hold more spectators if safety guidelines are met.
Rowley revealed that because the ground has just one stand, with grass embankments on three sides, fans are only allowed to stand one deep along the barriers surrounding the pitch.
Temporary stands would be far too expensive, he added, but bringing in a non-slip material such as safety matting on to the grass terraces is one option Mechanics are exploring.
If the current capacity is maintained, Rangers fans would be granted just 285 tickets as visiting clubs are given a maximum of 20% of the total amount put on sale.
That will also give Forres a headache to overcome, with the potential of hundreds of ticketless Rangers fans arriving on the day of the match.
But the news that Mosset Park will stage potentially the biggest match in the club’s history will kick off cup fever in the town.
If the match was shown live on TV, it would help to alleviate the problem posed with ticket limitations.
Sky and BBC’s Scottish Cup contract does not begin until the fourth round, it is understood, but they may have the option to screen the contest.
Don’t miss Friday’s Northern Scot for reaction to Mechanics’ big match, and Elgin City’s visit to Rangers in Division 3 on Sunday.
