BHOYS TO FACE DONS
Wayne’s not the only one licking lips at Cup clash with Red Devils.. two young Derby team-mates are United fans
Manchester City on Wednesday quite so much is doubtful.
They went three down in the opening half an hour thanks to Tom Lawrence’s brace and Knight’s strike.
Owls boss Garry Monk said: “Forget Manchester City. We were extremely poor. This is the worst time in my career, but it’s my job to turn it round.”
He sympathised with fans who chanted, ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ after Derby’s third goal.
Monk pointed to a better second half, but admitted: “It was too little, too late.” Although Lawrence took man-ofthe-match honours, Rooney (left) played a captain’s role in Derby’s triumph.
Boss Phillip Cocu said: “At the moment, Wayne’s best position is deeper in midfield, though he can play at No.10, of course. But with him and Max having such a great connection, they can always find a way out.
“United are a strong team but we will have a full stadium. You have to approach every game positively with a belief that you can win it. If we put on a good performance maybe it is possible. The way we played at Sheffield we are looking forward to it.”
MOTM
LAWRENCE (DERBY)
CELTIC will face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semifinals after Ryan Christie’s late strike secured a 1-0 win over ST JOHNSTONE.
Christie’s 81st-minute free-kick was enough to take Neil Lennon’s side through after a 34th straight domestic cup win.
Bhoys boss Lennon said: “It doesn’t matter who you get drawn against, you’ve got to win it to get to the final. Hopefully, we’ll be at full throttle by then.”
ABERDEEN booked their place in the last four with Saturday’s 2-0 win at ST MIRREN.
HEARTS’ reward for beating Steven Gerrard’s RANGERS 1-0 is a semi-final meeting with city rivals HIBERNIAN.
Jermain Defoe insisted the Gers players had let Steven Gerrard down after the quarter-final loss.
Manager Gerrard raised doubts about his own future when he admitted he had some “serious thinking” to do in the wake of the defeat.
And striker Defoe said: “I can imagine how he is feeling because this is a club where you have to perform, win games and win trophies.”