If you do not have a knot in your stomach, you should. Hearts managed to relegate themselves last season through inept performances against teams clearly below them in the food chain. They upped their game against Hibs and (especially) Newco, posing questions that the Budgeocracy has yet to consider. On Sunday, we face a team of usually-can’t-be-bothereds with a grudge.
In October, they started their Championship campaign by putting six goals past Dundee, whom they blame for siding with Peter Lawwell in the discussions that determined how last season’s league campaign would end. Then they beat Hibs, who they can always be bothered to play, in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
The new stands at Tynecastle act as a reservoir of resentment and Celtic are top of their list. Who else, other than their players, either managers, or the insightful new broom that was going to show football how it’s done in the business world, is there to blame for their relegation than Celtic.
And then there’s Eddie. You and I didn’t really discuss this at the time. A photo circulated showing the keeper took him out, but that was ‘fake news’ as it was not of the penalty incident in the 2019 final. Hand on heart; I think we got away with one then. A goal down in the second half, Odsonne Edouard took control; before you knew it, you were celebrating a Treble Treble.
I do not respect Heart of Midlothian FC whatsoever, but I respect any opponent who can so readily cultivate the unifying resentment that can produce results like the 4-0 that ended Celtic’s world record 69 domestic games unbeaten. This is a proper team, better than most in the Premiership and more than capable of winning on Sunday. If we are one inch less prepared than them, we will lose.
Before the Lille and Kilmarnock wins I saw a shroud of defeat ahead at Hampden. We may have turned it around just in time, but for now, the stomach remains knotted.
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If we win it’ll be the right team selection .If we lose it won’t . Simples.
As long as it’s not the kind of ‘win’ we had against Sevco in last season’s LC final of course , although I doubt if Hearts are capable of giving us that kind of problem.
Noone
Knows Anything Bro.
If Ntcham isn’t injured…how far has he fallen
Lenny has never won a treble, as a Manager, so an opportunity to join a very select group. We have obviously done very well at Hampden in recent years, winning both semis and finals, and indeed one of our better performances this season was in the semi-final against Aberdeen, especially in the first half. That is what we need to emulate today. Many of our players have been here, been there if you like, and know what it takes to win Cup Finals. Let us celebrate Christmas early doors and put those green and white ribbons back where they belong. On the Scottish Cup. Trebles all round!
live updates up
Always good to listen to Martin O’Neill. Pity we had to hear that dick McLean asking Lustig about the fans angry reaction, as a precursor to a final. BBC never let’s you down.
NOTTHEBUS on 20TH DECEMBER 2020 1:15 PM
If Ntcham isn’t injured…how far has he fallen
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I think he’s gone. At the top of his game, he is excellent. But those are far too infrequent, plus he’s not up for a scrap when it’s needed.
High tempo from the whistle, Celtic.
Has the pitch been narrowed ?
So pampin the horn rapidly as we hit the winning penalty solicits a two fingered salute from a guy in a world van.
Some peepul are never happy.