Odds on Madden sending off a Celtic player

Call me a cynic, but after recent “soft” red cards shown against Motherwell and Hamilton players facing Celtic, I sense a bit of “even themselves out” in store for us at Hampden on Sunday.  Memories of Hampden semi-finals against Inverness and Ross County, where we were denied progress and (probably) a trophy due to red cards feature heavily in the memory.

The best chance Newco have to stop Celtic and reach their second Scottish Cup final would be to fall poleaxed on the ground after each and every challenge from a Celtic player.  Bobby Madden may feel obliged to show that referees are not scared to red card Scotland’s top players.

Celtic being reduced to 10 men didn’t do Newco any good at Ibrox last month, but they would bite your hand off for a second crack at those numbers.

We need to play smart, especially Scott Brown, who I expect will be targeted.  Odds on Madden sending off a Celtic player will be short.