I know Neil Lennon will have only one thought on his mind this week: Thursday’s Europa League second leg against Copenhagen. Pushing deeper into this tournament is where the money is for Celtic and delivers prestige on the international stage. But, I could argue that Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter final is more important.
With the rest of the league now realising Celtic are on their way to nine-in-a-row, the Scottish Cup has taken on enormous importance. Reaching the quarter finals of the Europa League will put a few million in the bank and earn more coefficient points, but it changes little from a strategic point of view. Conversely, winning the Scottish Cup for a record fourth successive season would devastate those hoping that the millions spent trying to catch Celtic was not a waste of money.
Trying to catch Celtic is the most expensive indulgence in football, a point we will explore in more detail tomorrow.