Sky pick the tie of the round!

By Ray Mcgrath
December 23 2003

SKY are to televise the Hibs v Rangers' Tennent's Scottish Cup third-round clash at Easter Road.Its the first of a cup double header between the two sides who also meet in the CIS cup semi final at Hampden on February 5.

The tie will still go ahead on January 10 but with a 12.30 pm kick-off.

Each club will receive a sum of £82,500 from the satellite giants.

This means both Edinburgh clubs will be playing in the capital on the same day as Hearts face Berwick Rangers at Tynecastle at 3 pm.

There is no indication at this stage that any of the other third-round ties are to be moved.

Partick Thistle are also set for a financial bonus as BBC Scotland have opted to screen their home SPL games against the Old Firm early in the New Year.

The struggling Jags' games against Celtic and Rangers are among six live fixtures announced by the Beeb.

The Old Firm feature in four, with the derby games in Edinburgh and Dundee completing the line-up.

A full list of BBC Scotland matches for the next two months is as follows: Saturday, December 27 Hearts v Motherwell (12.30). Saturday, January 3 Celtic v Rangers (12.30).. Sunday, January 18 Hearts v Celtic (3 pm).. Sunday, January 25 Dundee v Dundee Utd (3 pm).

. Sunday, February 1 Partick Th v Rangers (3 pm).. Sunday, February 15 Hibs v Hearts (kick-off tbc).. Sunday, February 22 Partick Th v Celtic (3 pm).. Sunday, February 29 Dundee Utd v Rangers (3 pm).. Denotes new date.