After beating Stranraer in the Scottish Cup last Friday, Rangers progressed to the next round of the competition. On Saturday, the Gers found out that they were set to face Hamilton Academical in the competition’s fifth round. Hamilton currently sit 11th in the Scottish Premiership and have been beaten by Rangers 5-0 in the sides’ last two meetings. It should, in theory, be a game that Steven Gerrard’s side makes light work of.
But despite the draw being a fairly easy one, Rangers fans are dreading the match. Had the Gers been the home side it would have changed their opinions though. Many of the fans were upset that they had to watch their team play on New Douglas Park’s plastic grass, which was voted the Premiership’s worst pitch back in June 2018. Hamilton vowed to replace their field with better materials just a day later, but that hasn’t stopped Rangers fans from dreading the trip.
https://twitter.com/iamkennethw/status/1219049292352098305
Decent draw. But a plastic pitch again?
— Rossco c: (@rosscurrie971) January 19, 2020
Can we not jst ban clubs with plastic 3/4g pitches. Lower league team survive without them
— Scott (@scottd78) January 19, 2020
Plastic pitch again
— 8of8 (@Jonah42505738) January 19, 2020
Meh, easy enough but plastic pitch again 🙁
— Steely (@OhItsSteely) January 19, 2020
Plastic pitch….again. pic.twitter.com/2ngunFBAUJ
— Borna Barištaunch (@BornaPeg) January 19, 2020
Does the Scottish Cup draw make you worried about injuries?
Yes
No
One fan is worried about injuries, specifically to the ACL. Another fan hopes key players, like Borna Barisic, are sat out for this game.
Announce torn ACL’s
— Brad (@BradleyRaeLol) January 19, 2020
Playing against those Hammer Throwers on their gash pitch?! Announce Borna Bear to be excused for this one
— Lennox Richardson (@lennyrfc) January 19, 2020
What do we think?
At the end of the day, it should be an easy match for Gerrard and his players. But while the draw may be an easy match for 90 minutes, these fans are worried it could have an impact on their team going forward into the rest of the season.