ScotRail has urged football fans travelling by train to the Scottish Cup semi-finals this weekend to plan their journeys in advance.

On Saturday, 16th April, Hearts play Hibernian at Hampden Park in Glasgow with a 12.15 kick-off. Then on Easter Sunday, 17th April, Celtic play Rangers with a 14.00 kick-off..

ScotRail will be adding extra seats to as many trains as possible, supporters are advised to leave extra time for travel as trains will be busy.

Before kick-off and after the final whistle on both days queuing systems will be in place at many stations across the network including Glasgow Central, Mount Florida, and Kings Park.

Major improvement works between Rutherglen and Exhibition Centre will impact those travelling to and from the city centre on services that normally operate via Glasgow Central Low Level. Many services will be diverted to Glasgow Central High Level or Glasgow Queen Street Low Level, resulting in slightly longer journey times.

A replacement bus service is in operation from Carmyle, Newton, Cambuslang, Rutherglen, Dalmarnock, Bridgeton, Glasgow Central, Exhibition Centre, and Partick, although space is limited.

First Glasgow is also providing extra capacity on their bus services between the city centre, Bridgeton, Dalmarnock, and Rutherglen.

Saturday, 16th April – Hearts v Hibs

• Hearts fans should join the queues on the Carriage Drive off Hope Street at Glasgow Central and travel on trains to Mount Florida. After the match, Hearts fans should return to Mount Florida station promptly.
• Hibs fans should queue on the main concourse at Glasgow Central for services to Kings Park. After the match, Hibs fans should return to Kings Park station promptly.

Sunday, 17th April – Rangers v Celtic

• Rangers fans should join the queues on the Carriage Drive off Hope Street at Glasgow Central and travel on trains to Mount Florida. After the match, Rangers fans should return to Mount Florida station promptly.
• Celtic fans should queue on the main concourse at Glasgow Central for services to Kings Park. After the match, Celtic fans should return to Kings Park station promptly

To reduce the need to queue on the day, customers should buy their return tickets to either Mount Florida or Kings Park in advance via the mTicket system on the ScotRail app.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Head of Customer Operations, said:

“If you’re heading to Hampden to cheer on your team this weekend, please plan ahead and allow more time for travel as trains will be busy.

“We’re doing all we can to help supporters travel to the games as hassle-free as possible, which includes more seats on train services to and from Mount Florida and Kings Park.

“Queuing systems will be in place before and after the matches, so please make sure you know where to go. We have a dedicated webpage at scotrail.co.uk/sport with more information, and our staff will also be on hand to direct you.

“Buying your return tickets in advance through our mTicket system on the ScotRail will reduce your need to queue.”