Cup final date switch avoids Graham double booking

Brian Graham combines managing the women's team and playing for the men

Partick Thistle's Brian Graham has been spared a fixture clash dilemma after their Sky Sports Cup final against Rangers was put back a day until Sunday 24 March.

Thistle are due to play Arbroath in the Scottish Championship on 23 March.

But the women's showpiece at Tynecastle will now be played 24 hours later.

• Fans split over cup final double booking

Thistle stated: "This will naturally allow our manager, Brian Graham, to lead his team on to the pitch as we contest our very first national cup final and help make sure that our amazing fans and volunteers are part of the showpiece occasion."

Scottish Women's Premier League made no mention of Graham's plea for a "common sense" switch in date, with the Thistle boss having stated "there is no way I am missing the chance to get to lead my girls out at a cup final".

Instead, the competition organiser cited the "key objective" to "increase attendances at SWPL matches and to improve the visibility of our game".

It added: "After consultation with key stakeholders, it was agreed that providing fans of both clubs with the best possible opportunity of being able to attend the match was of the upmost importance."

Thistle pointed out that many of their fans would wish to attend both the men's game and the women's final.

The SWPL thanked broadcaster Sky Sports, both finalists and hosts Heart of Midlothian "for their collaboration and willingness to work with us to find a solution".