Ah but fools rush in where angels fear to tread and with that the gods conspired to prove yet again why bookmakers drive Mercedes and don’t ride bicycles.
Friday night itself saw a comfortable victory for an under strength Rangers team against Annan. Not that the league two side played badly, indeed some of their passing and movement made the Rangers work hard but ultimately class shone through and in the end the Rangers progressed with a comfortable 5 nil victory.
Saturday however was when the pie was planted firmly square on my face.
The two Edinburgh clubs deciding that the cup was an unnecessary distraction both managed to find ways to lose their ties. Hibs first against Neil Lennons’ Dunfermline (Lennon having managed Hibs in the past) fell to an own goal scored late in the game, second minute of injury time. Just when a penalty shootout looked likely, in it went and out went Premiership Hibernian.
As darkness descended on Tynecastle it was the turn of Hearts to take centre stage. The all premiership clash with Falkirk looked an ideal opportunity for McInnes' men who are currently riding high at the top of the SPL to progress only for the dreaded penalty shootout to prove to be their Achilles heel. The villain of the piece being the normally reliable in front of goal Elton Kabangu. More worrying though for Hearts and their fans was seeing Shankland limping off in injury time particularly when the mouthwatering clash between the top two only a week away as Celtic travel to Edinburgh in an attempt to close the gap to three points. For once a title race is actually a thing in Scotland; however, that’s for another day.
Whilst the cup dream is over for Camelon juniors, the east of Scotland league team can be proud of their run having overcome Edinburgh City to reach round four. I wish them well for the rest of the season. I will for one be checking on their results from here on in.
Other notable results include league two leaders Spartans overcoming Inverness Caley of league one in a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout; Motherwell overcoming a stubborn championship side in Ross County and Dundee United leaving it late to break down Scott Browns Ayr United with goals in the 77th and 89th min. The Ayrshire side can be proud of their display.
So comes Sunday and first up Aberdeen who had a morale boosting victory over Championship side Raith Rovers. Fans will be hoping that they can carry this form into the league when they face Livingston at Pittodrie next weekend. The final match of this round paired West of Scotland Premier side Auchinleck Talbot against a rejuvenated Celtic. The visitors ground out a 2 nil victory against a well organised and gritty Talbot who can hold their heads high. Tommy Sloan and his men were written off by everyone but as we’ve seen in football nothing is guaranteed and Celtic struggled at times to break them down. Indeed a wonder goal from Tounekti in the 87th minute was needed to calm Celtic nerves.
Fifth round draw as follows
Aberdeen v Motherwell
Airdrie v St Mirren
Dundee Utd v Spartans
Dunfermline v Kelty Hearts
Stenhousemuir v Falkirk
Rangers v Stranraer/Queens Park
Celtic v Dundee
Elgin v Patrick Thistle
Matches to take place on or around February 7th
🐼 Gary Robertson is the TPQ Scottish football correspondent.
How would you rate the best Scottish sides over the past 4 decades ? Fergie's Dons top of the pile ? Martin's ' 03 Celts @ # 2 ? Europa finalists ( on the double Gers ) @ # 3 & # 4 ?
ReplyDeleteCeltic's team in 97-98 was by far the best team to ever play in Scotland and I say this as a Rangers man. They played absolutely beautiful football.
DeleteMore importantly - how long more will substandard Slot be # 1 @ Anfield ? Weeks or until season end ?
ReplyDeleteLast season's - F , A , Points tally for the Reds were near identical to the year before . Klopp deserved the credit & medal .
Ron to be honest I’m suprised there hasn’t been more rumblings amongst Liverpool fans calling for his head. Unless there’s a drastic upturn in fortunes I think his days are numbered. Although we have a Liverpool fan in our midst so perhaps Mr McIntyre can give us his thoughts? As for best teams I’ve seen in my lifetime I’d have to say that Rangers with Laudrup in the 90s scared the life out of me. Fergusons’ Aberdeen has to be right up there although the enormity of their achievements rather passed me by to be fair (I was 12) Seville 2003 (beating Liverpool on the way to the final - sorry about that 🤣) I still maintain we were cheated out the trophy but it’s history now. Sadly I wasn’t around in 1967 but in my lifetime I’d have to honestly say Rangers circa 94 were a class apart.
ReplyDeleteGary - before he put the long unbeaten run together I began to have serious doubts about his future. It seemed he had no solutions. While there have been far too many draws in that unbeaten run you can see Wirtz and Kerkez starting to deliver. I don't see him getting replaced anytime soon. His tactics against Arsenal and Marseille are going to stand by him.
DeleteAnother good piece by yourself taking us into parts of the soccer world many of us are unfamiliar with.
I used to love going to Glasgow for the Celtic games. While not a fan I loved the buzz, the craic with my big mate (Scooby, now sadly departed) and the booze.