AIK, Thistle, James Forrest again

While we hoped for a backlash, the performance on Saturday against Dunfermline was in the post.  Scoring 12 in two league games this month is more of a measure of where we are right now, but Tuesday’s defeat cast a long shadow.  Whatever hangover exists, it needs to lift by Thursday.

Two pieces of positive news arrived yesterday: a home tie in the quarterfinals, against Partick Thistle, and AIK lost at home to Kalmar.  Thistle will be no easier than Dunfermline, but they are the only lower league team left in the competition and the tie is at Celtic Park.

AIK rested five who eliminated Sheriff on Thursday, but as we know, a defeat at home to a team with significantly fewer resources damages morale.  AIK will slip four points off the pace if Djurgarden win at home tonight.

For a while on Saturday, it looked like our monopoly of domestic trophies could end.  Winning 28 consecutive cups games is unfathomably consistent, even the greatest teams have off days.  It is a measure of James Forrest that he again delivered.