“Feeling more confident than any time in the last five years” was the sentiment expressed to me by a Newco fan this morning. And with some reason. They have gone two months without defeat, while Celtic’s blistering runs of successive wins stopped; we’ve won three and drawn three of our last six.
Reasons for any marked change in results are usually varied. With the league won, Celtic rested players, while others were injured. Opponents have also paid attention to their Scott Sinclair Problem. Stop Scott getting the ball and you inhibit Celtic’s most potent danger.
You also have to factor in the reality that Brendan Rodgers has given 52 competitive pre-match team talks. There are only so many times you can vocabularise your rallying call before its effects diminish.
The contrast in the other Hampden dressing room will be stark. Brother Pedro’s accent will still appear fresh to his players, never mind his message. His tactical talks and implorations of effort will seem innovative, whether they are or not. For these reasons, and more, Newco players will fear nothing on Sunday.
This game will be more straightforward that Ross County last week. We know Newco are there to win, to knock us out of the cup, stop our Invincibility Quest and reach their second major cup final. We’ll not face 10 men behind the ball.
Having said all of this, you and me will both be stunned if Celtic don’t prevail. We have the better players, the better manager, we’ve faced many and varied challenges this season and come through impressively.
Dembele, Griffiths and Rogic are back and available. The manager has choices on who to play, and options to change the game, or freshen things up later.
That same Newco fan this morning accused me of selective memory, with good reason, when I said I couldn’t remember Ugo Ehiogu playing for Rangers. It was no less alarming to hear a fit and active man of 44 died so suddenly. Condolences to his loved ones. There but……….
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Commentator and Ebt Thomson utter clowns.
Efe taken out, cheating Beaton doesn’t give a foul,both agree correct decision as player got a touch of the ball.
FFs he took Efe to get the ball, it’s truly everything that’s wrong with Scottish football when refs and pundits don’t think that’s a foul.
Every other league in the world that’s a foul all day long.
Brilliant vision from Ryan Christie for his goal. He noticed Dylan had left a gap in the wall and that the keeper was off his line.
Hail Hail
Marciano in one goal. Joe Lewis in the other. But Holt looks like a heavyweight, good goal though.
JNP
Could not believe that myself, as you say he wiped Efe out then took the ball.
3 goals, 1 sub?1 minute added, a joke
Had to turn off the 2 clowns talking shehite on BBC. Doing ma head in.
The referee John Beaton was dreadful in the first half.
Hibs currently 18/1 to win or 6/1 to qualify. Hmmmmmmmmmm………..
If it goes to 2-2 i would really fancy Hibs. Big test of Aberdeen’s mentality now.
TTR,
Fair analysis.
Hibs couldn’t play the ball from the back and nothing was sticking up front, until Holt can on.
Hibs players continued to overplay the ball and lose possession.
All to play for, though.
Willie Miller bigging up the Huns ‘beacuse they took 3 off Aberdeen at Pittodrie and thats a fine feat’.
Away and lie doon.
My goodness…
Game on 2-2
Chasm closed.
Taking Christie off for a defender with over 30 minutes to go was an act of cowardice .
https://twitter.com/jpublik/status/855710077289996289
Gaun yersel Dylan taught you it all son :-)
What a goal!
All green final still possible…..
5th goalscorer – Efe Ambrose. 80/1! Worth 6 shillings…
John McGinn, this is your moment to earn your move to Celtic.
What’s a shilling ?!
THETIMREAPER – 2 sixpences ;-)
I remember MoN sealing the treble with a Scottish Cup win against Hibs. I was at the final. Warm, sunny day and the Hoops were outstanding in a 3-0 win.
Obviously I would love history to repeat itself but there is still plenty of football to be played.
My friends in Celtic,
Don’t quite understand the “love in” with Hibs.
I want Aberdeen to win, because I think they are an easier team to beat, especially in a one off final. I also think the Hibs manager is a harder nut to crack.
I still think we own Neil a debt of gratitude, but my priority is what is best for Celtic.
Cumon the Sheepies.
HH.
Cruel.
Typical hun like luck…
DMcG like a lump of concrete in a fitbaw shirt…
Flook
Slight touch said Walker , what a prk
Hunnish win for Aberdeen
Unlucky Hibs Lenny will be raging at the first two goals HH
Have the smsm asked Ryan Christie who he wants to win tomorrow yet??????.
H.H
Well, if we play to our abilities tomorrow, we’ll meet an Aberdeen team in the final with little bottle or guile.
Can you smeell that treble, Bhoys?
Let’s dispose of the Hun virus tomorrow with as little fuss as possible. 4-0.
50 SHADES OF GREEN
Clown on sky actually said to Ryan “you’ll be hoping Rangers win tomorrow so you can play in the Final then”
Just watched Hibs v Sheep on Sky and then turned over to BBC to see what they might say about tomorrow’s game. I’m absolutely stunned at the difference in quality of the film. Did the BBC use a mobile phone to video the game. Shocking lack of quality. What the hell are we paying a licence fee for?
Barney 67.
Ffs, honestly—– I was trying to be funny as well.
Slaps head and orders another Guinness in shock.
Not just Sevco the Hoops have to overcome tomorrow. According to one of the Rectum’s Jackanory “writers”, Celtic face a 92 year hoodoo in Scottish Cup semi-finals against this 4 year old club.
Must be a Doctor Whodoo.
McCann still talking pish on Sly.
Thought he should have been in Dundee talking pish to his new temporary charges?
HH!!
Starry Plough @ 1.57…”DMcG like a lump of concrete in a fitbaw shirt…”
I wondered why you would say that about young Dylan McGeoch then I realised…
THETIMREAPER on 22ND APRIL 2017 12:39 PM
John McGinn is the best ball winner in the country. He must be on Brendan’s radar.
I hope not.Never the class of player we need to progress.Anyway,I thought he was very poor today.Poor use of the ball,ball watching.He really is a bit of an emptyhead.Head doon,@rse up,as my father used to say.