Hearts seek increase as ticket sales hit 25,000

ANGUS WRIGHT

HEARTS are to ask for a bigger allocation of tickets for the Tennent's Scottish Cup final after selling 25,000 in just three days.

A request will be made to the Scottish Football Association for an extra allocation over and above the original figure of 31,000. It is almost certain that Hearts will be cheered on by the club's biggest support since the 1986 Scottish Cup final, when Hearts sold 41,500 tickets for a game with a total attendance of 62,841.

The Tynecastle ticket office has taken on extra staff to move to a 24-hour operation, with tickets selling at the rate of 350 per hour.

So far, only season ticket holders have been able to book seats for the Hampden park showdown with Second Division side Gretna on 13 May. They have until 5pm on Monday to apply or book online.

Shareholders' tickets will go on sale on 27 and 28 April, and if there is a general sale it will take place on 1 May.

A Hearts spokesperson said: "We're thrilled so many people want to be part of the cup final experience."

Gretna have been allocated 6,900 tickets, but this figure could rise to 10,000 if there is sufficient demand among supporters of the newly- promoted side.

Taken from the Scotsman