Soccer Football - Scottish League Cup - Final - Rangers v Celtic - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - February 26, 2023 Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates with the trophy alongside Daizen Maeda after winning the Scottish League Cup Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Just over two weeks on from the Viaplay Cup Final which triggered the most incredible backlash against all things Ibrox the draw for the Scottish Cup semi-finals has paired the two Glasgow sides together again.
On the evening of February 26 loyal bears were in breakdown mode after Micky Beale and Fashion Sakala had taken their hopes to Hampden only to be utterly crushed by a Celtic side that was superior in every way. Ange Postecoglou’s side were far from top form.
After two months of hype around Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin Beale was scared to play them, both goals came as James Tavernier was taken apart with iron man Connor Goldson unable to cope with Kyogo Furuhashi.
Every aspect of Beale’s management was condemned while the acknowledgement of two trophies in 11 seasons sunk in over a squad that is diplomatically not the bravest sunk in.
Straight after the game Tavpen apologised to the fans, a couple of days later John Lundstram admitted that his team-mates just hadn’t turned up, it was one of those things.
— Tam sellic son (@TamseIIicsonIII) March 13, 2023
Ah don’t mind when we play them mate. If we go oot, we play, get the selection right, people fit and we play, we win. I know that sounds flippant when I say it mate but if we play we’ll beat them. But the problem is that we’ve let ourselves down so often against them.
Last night’s draw sets up two derby matches next month, on the 8th and the 29th or 30th.
Sakala is unlikely to be on media duty before either game with safe and boring choices sent out to play down expectations among bears that still remember February 26 no matter what they say in public or online.
Aye we believe you ha ha false confidence right there from the cowards!! Incoming TREBLE!!over it!!