Hibernian’s Easter Road has emerged as the front-runner when it comes to the hosting of this season’s Ramsdens Cup final.
With Hampden Park out of commission amid Commonwealth Games preparations, SPFL chiefs will await the outcome of tonight’s semi-final between Stenhousemuir and Rangers before firming up arrangements for the competition’s showpiece on April 6.
Various grounds will be considered, depending on who books their spot in the final against Raith Rovers.
However, Easter Road and Livingston’s Energy Assets Arena are said to be the most likely candidates.
Rangers are firm favourites to reach the final and such a scenario would give the competition’s organisers something of a headache in trying to find a venue big enough to accommodate demand.
Celtic Park, which can hold more than 60,000, had been mooted as a possible alternative but it is thought the costs of security may put the SPFL off.
Ibrox itself has also been put forward as a possible venue and Rangers will ask Scottish football’s authorities to have the game played there if they see off Stenhousemuir tonight.
However, Raith chairman Turnbull Hutton has previously indicated he would prefer a neutral venue and sources close to the SPFL fear setting a precedent if the final is played at Ibrox, although the board at Stark’s Park will meet to discuss the issue in more detail if Ally McCoist’s men progress.
Stadiums in Edinburgh look to provide the next best options should Rangers win tonight and Easter Road with a capacity of more than 20,000 is believed to be the preferred choice of some Rovers directors.
Livingston’s Energy Assets Arena, which can hold just over 10,000 fans, has been provisionally put forward as the most likely fit if Stenhousemuir win through.
Competition sponsors Ramsdens have refused to be drawn on the issue thus far, suggesting it was too early to pass comment.