Pro14 CEO Martin Anayi insisted that he is "not concerned with security issues" ahead of next year’s grand final at Celtic Park, which is scheduled to take place on the same day and in the same city as the Scottish Cup final, according to Garry Doyle of the LONDON TIMES. The "obvious possibility" of Scottish Premiership sides Rangers and Celtic meeting at Hampden Park "just hours before" nearby Celtic Park hosts the Pro14 decider "means more than 100,000 supporters could be in Glasgow on the same afternoon." A large presence of Irish supporters, "coupled with an Old Firm final," is, at the "very least," something for the organization to consider. Anayi, however, "is confident, having spoken at length with senior officers in Glasgow city’s police department, that the rugby final would pass off without incident." He said, "We have been working closely with the city [council] and the police and they were really happy with the two events being in two separate parts of the city" (LONDON TIMES, 8/21). In London, Alasdair Reed reported Anayi promised next year’s final at Celtic Park, which will be "the first time the showpiece event has been taken to a non-rugby venue," will pull in fans who, "regardless of their club allegiances, simply want to experience the atmosphere of the iconic ground." Anayi said that the league "has plans for future finals to follow in the footsteps of rugby league’s Challenge Cup by appealing to supporters of all clubs" so that success does not depend upon having "box office" sides involved. Anayi reported ticket sales to date "have outstripped the numbers sold at this stage of previous seasons" (LONDON TIMES, 8/21).
STANDING PAT: In London, Ben Coles reported Pro14 Board Dir Dominic McKay confirmed the league is "not set to immediately add more teams into the competition, despite the successful addition" of the Cheetahs and Southern Kings from South Africa last season (London TELEGRAPH, 8/21).
