Hartson: Hoops must beware Gers side flat out to stop treble
JOHN HARTSON reckons superior Celtic have lorded it over Rangers this season but need to be wary of the Ibrox side’s bid to become treblebusters.
The Hoops hero says his former club have been Old Firm bully Bhoys of late and the form guide suggests they will power their way to the Scottish Cup Final.
But Hartson ended up with egg on his face after predicting a Celtic cakewalk when the sides met in last year’s semi-final – and is not ruling anything out this time.
Brendan Rodgers’s side are on the march towards the domestic clean sweep but Rangers’ desire to burst their great rivals’ bid will have Pedro Caixinha’s men fired up.
Hartson said: “The fact is trebles are very difficult to do historically – Celtic have only done three, although Rangers have done a few more. There should have been more through the years.
“Rangers will feel they are the team to stop Celtic doing it. Celtic have enjoyed beating them three times this season but Rangers will feel this is their opportunity.
“Although the hard money is on Celtic the wise man would back the team who are 35 points clear of them in the league. They have better players but you have to remember this is a semi-final.
“We’ve seen upsets so Rangers will feel they have that mental approach where they need to stop their rivals winning the Treble. That will be in their thoughts.”
Hartson reckons the Old Firm draw at Celtic Park last time out was the perfect wake-up call for Rodgers’s men.
He said: “Celtic should have had a penalty and Clint Hill should have been sent off. It’s a blatant foul, a sending off and a penalty. It was ridiculous.
“But it’s maybe not a bad thing from a Celtic point of view. If they thought they would beat Rangers comfortably it didn’t turn out that way. In these games the crowd push you on and they can be hard to call.
“For me Celtic will have too much and have a big chance to get through to a final.
“Rangers will feel this is the one where they have to stop Celtic. Everyone has them riding the crest of the wave and Rangers have this one chance to put themselves in the Final and to stop Celtic potentially winning the Treble.
“That is what all the thinking will be for Rangers – ‘this is the big game and we have to win this’.’’
Celtic wrapped up the Premiership title weeks ago and have drawn with Partick Thistle and Ross County since.
But Hartson is convinced Rodgers will not allow his players to switch off with a historic treble in their sights.
He said: “They’ve had some fairly indifferent results of late but on Sunday they’ll put that to one side.
“It can be difficult when you feel the job is done but under Brendan it will be different. I think he will be drumming it into the lads how special it is. The boys know themselves how good it is to win against Rangers.
“I was very blessed to have played in many derbies, to have scored the winning goal in derbies, and it is a great feeling.
“Now 10 years retired I can look back and my memories are the winning goals against Rangers – those are the goals in games that adhere you to the crowd.
“It is a great feeling and viceversa – when you lose it is an absolute nightmare.” card was justified because it wasn’t just reckless – it was dangerous.”
Hibs and Aberdeen meet in the other last-four clash with Neil Lennon’s side on a high after clinching the Championship and promotion back to the top flight.
said: “With Aberdeen proving again they don’t have the support to be Scotland’s second force, Rangers facing years of off-field issues and Ian Cathro looking like he’s picked the wrong hobby, the road is clear for Hibs to become Celtic’s main challengers.
“A great stadium, support and a great manager. Well done Neil Lennon.”
While Hibs are on the way up Dundee this week appointed former player Neil McCann in a bid to ensure they don’t go in the opposite direction.
It’s only a year since they sent their city rivals down and emailed: “Three years ago Hearts had a good laugh when we joined them in the Championship after we taunted them over their relegation.
“We deserved it so the Dundee fans must be dreading the prospect of a relegation play-off against United just a year after they relegated them at Dens.”
Inverness Caley Thistle are rooted to the bottom of the Premiership and some of their fans have given up hope. said: “Now is the time for Inverness Caley Thistle to sack Richie Foran and go for Alan Stubbs or Paul Hartley so they can start preparing for next season. Survival is a huge ask and definitely won’t happen under Foran.” Depressing, eh? But it’s not all bad.
said: “Celtic Under-14s went to Holland and beat Ajax in the final of the prestigious Marc Overmars Tournament. It was good to hear some positive news at a time of doom and gloom surrounding Scottish football.”
JOHN HARTSON
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