Don’t let ref ruin this semi
Celtic boss Ronny Deila is hoping this year’s Scottish h Cup semi-final will be decided by the players instead of the officials.
The Hoops were knocked out 3-2 by eventual winners Inverness last year but ref Steven McLean and his assistants failed to spot a blatant handball on the line from Josh Meekings when Celts were 1-0 up.
A similar blunder next Sunday would be even more controversial as the Old Firm slug it out for a place in the final.
And Deila said: “I hope it is decided on the football. That is what we want.
“I felt terrible last year after the game. Now we are putting ourselves in a new situation and we have even more experience.”
Celtic have lost their last two semis after following up that Inverness setback with a 3-1 defeat to Ross County in the League Cup.
In both games they were 1-0 up before conceding penalties that led to red cards – for Craig Gordon then Efe Ambrose – so won that showdown – last year’s League Cup semi- f inal – at a canter with Gers out of form and in crisis after the departure of boss Ally McCoist.
This clash is expected to be much closer with Rangers on a high under new gaffer Mark Warburton after rubberstamping their return to the top flight.
It will be the biggest game of the domestic season but Boyata knows he can handle it – after being thrown into a massive Manchester derby as a raw 19-year- old. actuallyactually felt this rivalry between Rangers and Celtic before.
“I don’t know that much about the derby. But I have seen the games on TV.
“I remember watching Vladimir play in the matches against Celtic and he also sat in the stand with The Belgian stopper heard all the Rangers fans when he wasn’t about the famous showdowns in the squad. with Rangers when he joined “I know a bit about the game Celtic from Manchester City back but not that much.” in the summer. Boyata admits he has fallen
He will get his first taste of the out of his contact with old fixture next Sunday when Ronny buddy Weiss who now plays for Deila’s men face Gers in the Al- Gharafa in Qatar. Scottish Cup semi-final. But he’s sure of one thing –
And if Boyata was in any doubt But Boyata has never been to Weiss will be wanting him to slip about the enormity of the an Old Firm game and his only up in the semi-final. occasion at Hampden, his last trip experience of the derby has been The Hoops star said: “We lived to the airport hammered home watching old pal Vladimir Weiss in digs together for a few years the point. play for Gers on TV. when we were at City. “We won 2-1 and it
The 25-year-old revealed: “I got They came through the ranks “I haven’t spoken to Vladimir was a big experience. I stopped at the airport by the together at Manchester City and for a bit now. But I know he will started the game and people taking my passport and used to be flat-mates. be supporting Rangers – we’re not was just 19 at the time. they said: ‘Oh, you play for Celtic? Slovakian winger Weiss spent going to be on the same side.” We won that first leg Be ready for that game.’ a season on loan at Ibrox five years Celtic and Rangers have faced then lost 3-1 in the return
“I was surprised at that because ago and Boyata recalls watching off just once in the last four years to go out. at the time we still had four games him take on the Hoops. with the Ibrox side languishing “No one was talking to derby PASSPORT
to get through before we were due The stopper said: “I have never in the lower leagues. The Hoops me about that particular relishing the Deila knows keeping 11 men on the field against Gers will be key.
He added: “We need to have controlled aggression. That is important.
“We haven’t been crazy in those situations. The first one was wrong and maybe not a red card.
“The second one was also a very difficult situation for the referee.
“We must concentrate and be in the moment. It helps that we have experienced players.”
Deila savoured his first taste of the derby as Celts eased to a 2-0 win in last year’s League Cup semi.
And he is looking forward to finding out just how much Rangers have improved this term.
He added: “They are a better team now. We will see when they come how much better. Will it be a marker for next season?
“If we win it has a double impact in everything. Then we would have the chance to go for the Cup.” to play Rangers. I don’t think we should put any pressure on ourselves because we have had a long season but it is a good chance to end the campaign well.
“When I signed I was told the derby, Celtic against Rangers, is the biggest game you could ever have especially in terms of the atmosphere.”
He said: “My starting debut for City at the Etihad was in the Carling Cup semi-final against United in January 2010.