HIBS and Hearts fans will be made to board and get off trains at separate stations in Edinburgh and Glasgow for the Scottish Cup semi-final in a bid to prevent violent clashes between rival supporters.

Rails chiefs are set to announce plans to put on four extra trains to shuttle 1700 Hearts and Hibs supporters to the match on April 2.

First ScotRail is expected to confirm in the next week that it is putting on the football specials in a bid to ease pressure on the M8, which is expected to be choked ahead of the 12.15pm kick-off.

The favoured option is for two trains, each carrying up to 432 Hibs fans, to leave Waverley Station and head directly to King's Park in Glasgow, which is a short walk away from the national stadium.

The same number of Hearts fans, meanwhile, would catch two separate trains from Slateford to Glasgow Central. They would then have to change on to a suburban Glasgow service to Mount Florida.

It is hoped the move will prevent rival fans from meeting each other on the way to and from the Hampden showdown.

A cheap day return from Edinburgh to Glasgow costs £8.90, but it is understood this fare will have to be raised on the football specials because of extra staffing and operating costs.

Scheduled services between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street will leave as normal at 8am and 9am.

Inspector Andy Cunningham of British Transport Police said they had yet to be informed of First ScotRail's intentions, but that the services would be policed accordingly.

Officers will travel on the trains to make sure there is no trouble and will also be highly visible at stations to segregate supporters if necessary. He said: "Normally, depending on the nature of the event, officers would travel on the train as deemed necessary by the officer in charge.

"We would work in conjunction with local police and our main function is to make sure it is a good day out for the fans and ensure there are no problems."

A First ScotRail spokesman said: "No decisions have been taken. We are still in discussion with industry partners as to how best to provide extra services on the big day."

Fans of both clubs today welcomed the prospect of the "football specials".

James Mills, 42, chairman of Central Branch Hibs Supporters Club, said: "It is a good idea from the Hibs point of view. It might be an inconvenience for the Hearts fans having to change trains but it gives people another option because getting through there won't be easy."

He added: "I think it is a certainty there will be trouble on the M8 on the way back. If there is a tailback, I can see it kicking off."

Ronnie Arthur, 54, secretary of Craigmillar Hearts Supporters Club, said: "It makes sense. People are happy to go to Hampden, the main problem is having it on a Sunday so early.

"Anything that takes extra fans off the road will help and I'm sure it will be an attractive option to lots of fans."

First ScotRail has put on extra services to take football fans to Hampden in the past. Followers of Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dundee have been shuttled on special trains to Glasgow in recent years, and Hibs fans benefited from extra services at the CIS Cup Final against Livingston two years ago.

Taken from the Scotsman