Deluded Mark Warburton believes that Sevco have closed the gap with Celtic.
The former city trader had nine days to prepare his team for today’s Hampden clash while Brendan Rodgers had just a couple of days to lift his players after the Champions League defeat from Borussia Monchengladbach.
After a fairly even first half Celtic dominated the second half with their patience finally rewarded in the 87th minute when Moussa Dembele flicked a Leigh Griffiths pass into the net.
Celtic pounded the Sevco goal throughout the second but were thwarted by two bizarre decisions by Craig Thomson while a free kick from Scott Sinclair bounced off the crossbar into the hands of bemused Matt Gilks.
Sevco’s only real chance of note was a Jason Holt shot that Jozo Simunovic blocked but after avoiding another hammering Warbo feels that his side are on the right track.
“They scored one goal and we didn’t- that’s the difference,” the Ibrox boss claimed. “They took one chance right at the death there.
“It was that type of game where one chance would change it. It was nip and tuck with chances at both ends and that one went in. It was as simple as that.
“The so-called gap is a lot narrower than people think and we have to learn from today’s performance.”
Warbo added: “We’re getting there and the players are understanding what we want and I’m delighted with the progress we’ve made.
“I think the players have shown their quality. There was no lack of desire, no lack of work ethic or focus.
“The players know what they have to do, they know who they are playing for, the club and the expectation.
“There is a lot of pressure on them but we are getting there. The aim is to work hard and continue that progress.”
CLICK HERE for five classic images from Hampden.
CLICK HERE for Sutton’s devastating Hampden tweet.