Gers’ joy will be the Hoops’ big motivation

CELTIC’S former Cup Final-winning hero Joe Miller says the current Hoops side will be out to settle a score today.

He reckons there is still bad feeling over the heightened nature of Rangers’ celebrations after they grabbed the late goal which gave them a Celtic Park draw when the clubs met last month.

“I think Rangers did over-celebrate a wee bit , but maybe that was down to the tension of the previous week and there was a bit of relief,” he said.

“That’s what players do and sometimes others look at it differently.

“It was one of those games when everybody was talking Celtic winning by four or five beforehand.

“Just before kick-off, though, I turned to Bertie Auld and said: ‘This could be 0-0 today’.

“We have all played in games where there is so much hype before kick-off and they turn out tight, drab affairs.

“It was one of those days, and when Rangers were celebrating I could see how unhappy and frustrated the Celtic players were.

“I can tell that from their body language that day and also from speaking to a couple of them.

“What happened after the last game will be locked away by the Celtic players.

“The semi-final is when they will be trying to make amends.”

Miller admits to having highs and lows through his Old Firm derby history, with the Scottish Cup Final in 1989 at the top.

“Scoring the winner then was one of the highlights for me,” he said.

“We had won the Double the previous season, which was the highlight of my career.

“But there was a lot of pressure on us to stop Rangers doing the Treble a year later.

“It was something we had to achieve and to score the goal was a bonus for myself.”

Far less pleasant was getting two broken ribs from a body check from Rangers full-back David Robertson in the Cup semi-final in 1992.

The latter was sent off, but the Light Blues went on to win the game 1-0.

“I remember that one well. I still have the scars,” Joe said with a laugh.

“There was a lot of that going on years ago. It was a lot more physical.

“Every era changes. In those days, there were tough-tackling, physical players who would let you know they were there from kick-off.

“Nowadays, it’s a lot different.

“One little dunt and players go over, crying out for bookings and red cards.

“It’s a lot more about performance levels and tactics now.

“And there is certainly a lot to play for in this one.

“Rangers want to win the Scottish Cup and stop the Treble. Celtic want to make history.”