The Scotsman

No travelling in cup for Rodgers’ men

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Scott Mcmann’s own goal and a Craig Tanner penalty proved the difference in the Lanarkshir­e derby.

Manager Stephen Robinson said: “I thought we were efficient, we were comprehens­ive, and we got back to what we do best.

“We were aggressive, there was a tempo about us, and we won the physical battle.”

Fifth Round: Dundee 0 Motherwell 2

Kevin Holt’s own goal sealed the victory but Robinson felt striker Curtis Main deserved the goal bonus alongside opening scorer Tanner after forcing the Dark Blues defender into his mistake.

Robinson said: “If forwards are willing to chase and harry and make defenders make mistakes, he deserves to have any ounce of credit for it.”

Quarter-final:motherwell­2 Hearts 1

Skipper Carl Mchugh’s stunning late volley clinched it

Main, left, grabbed a double either side of a Ryan Bowman strike to send Well to their second cup final of the campaign.

Robinson said: “We don’t fear anybody. I don’t mind at all who we face. We can now make history like the ’91 guys.” Brendan Rodgers’ side have not had to leave Glasgow during their cup run.

Fourth round: Brechin City 0

Celtic

5

James Forrest, Scott Sinclair, Olivier Ntcham, Dedryck Boyata and Odsonne Edouard all found the net against their Championsh­ip opponents.

Rodgers said: “It was a profession­al performanc­e. We scored some good goals and created other chances.”

Fifth round: Celtic 3 Partick Thistle 2

Forrest kept his side’s treble charge on course with a hattrick. Rodgers said: “James was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. He was the class player on the pitch and thoroughly deserves the match ball.”

Quarter-final: Celtic 3 Morton 0

Jim Duffy’s side proved hard to shift but Moussa Dembele’s second-half double and a late strike by substitute Edouard eventually ensured victory.

Rodgers said: “Moussa has that hunger back to score. In the second half, like the rest of the team, he was much better.”

Semi-final: Rangers 0

Celtic

4

Celtic blew their derby rivals away with a merciless Hampden battering. Tom Rogic and Callum Mcgregor put them in command at half-time and they rubbed further salt into Rangers’ wounds with second-half spot-kicks by Dembele and Ntcham.

Rodgers said: “I’m always looking to push the players and bring out that bit more from them but they bring the real edge to it. They have really inspired the supporters in my time here.

“The supporters feel safe that the players are going to give everything they can. We have a way of playing that we know can win games.”

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