SATURDAY JURY
Record Sport’s top team tackle the big issues
1 RANGERS take a lead to Braga and Celtic earned a draw in Copenhagen. How will the Old Firm do in the return legs of their Europa League ties?
I THINK Celtic will beat the Danes at Parkhead and possibly by two or three goals. The Rangers tie is much harder to call but with both teams better in attack than defence, I’ll go for a 2-2 draw that would make it a glorious double for Glasgow and Scotland.
CELTIC should be home and hosed already and it’s hard to see them not winning at home against the Danes. Rangers face tougher opponents but what a chance they’ve given themselves. If they can score first it will be huge. Both can progress.
THE Hoops should be too strong for Copenhagen at Parkhead and should reach the last 16. For Rangers the tie is in the balance and that’s no small achievement in itself. Blind optimism tells me both will continue their adventure.
2 TWO of the heroes – Ianis Hagi and Fraser Forster – are on loan to the Glasgow giants. Should each club be trying to make the deals permanent?
IT will be easier for Rangers as they have first option on Hagi. If they get good money for Alfredo Morelos, spending £4million of it on Hagi is a no-brainer. Forster’s wages will make it harder for Celtic to clinch a permanent deal but a second loan season could suit all parties.
DEFINITELY. Gers have been looking for the type of spark Hagi provides for some time now. Celtic knew what they were getting with returning keeper Forster but nevertheless he has been a massive signing.
YES. Celtic need to fill a goalkeeping void as Scott Bain won’t cut it so they should do everything within reason to find a package to make Forster’s stay permanent. Hagi has lit up Ibrox at a crucial time and looks the part.
3 NOW that the Scottish Cup quarter-finals have been determined, look out your crystal ball and predict who will make the last four?
CELTIC will see off St Johnstone comfortably, while Rangers should beat Hearts, even if it takes a replay. Hibs will be too strong for Inverness at Easter Road and if there’s to be a shock, it will be in Paisley where St Mirren have made it tough for Aberdeen in the past and can knock them out.
WHAT a midweek of replay drama and a great advert for the competition. It should be a strong semi-final line up with the Old Firm joined by a reinvigorated Aberdeen and improving Hibs team.
QUITE simply, Aberdeen, Hibs, Celtic and Rangers.
4 CALEY THISTLE slammed the SFA for refusing to rescind James Keatings’ red card that sees him miss the Challenge Cup Final. Do they have a point?
ABSOLUTELY. It’s a scandalous decision that has robbed a player of a cup final place. I’m not sure what else Inverness can do but they’ve got to keep fighting on behalf of Keatings.
EVERYONE can see that – even the dogs on the street! It’s a scandalous decision and leaves the SFA’s disciplinary system open to ridicule.
DEFINITELY. The redcard decision for diving was madness but not to overturn it is complete negligence. Keatings will now miss a cup final due to incompetence and this has to be the point where the SFA review and rewrite the whole disciplinary appeals process.