IT SAINT HALF Gers blew chance to HOT MUM Kil tie off
CELTIC maintained their impressive start to 2019 by lashing five past St Johnstone without reply to march into the quarterfinals of the Scottish Cup.
Scott Sinclair plundered a hat-trick, with James Forrest notching after Scott Brown found the net with a 35-yard screamer as Saints were put to the sword for the third time in 12 days.
Boss Brendan Rodgers said: “It was another good performance, we didn’t give away too much. We are nearly into mid-february, we haven’t conceded a goal and the players are working very hard. They look fresh and are playing at a really good level.”
Celtic’s win set a new record of 24 cup wins on the spin.
Rodgers added:
“We’d won the four previous games and it was going to be the game that would show their mentality and character because if they didn’t work and aren’t focused and aren’t hungry then it can be a really, really difficult game.
“But they showed their CELTIC are confident Oli Burke will survive an injury scare to face Valencia on Thursday.
The Hoops flying machine (left) caused concern among fans after mentality and quality and I said to them after the game they’d broken another record. “I didn’t want to mention it before because they didn’t need it. There are enough demands from me to win.
“The consequence of it is they broke a record and it’s another great tribute to how they’ve been working for the last two and a half years now. “I thought we were very good in the first 20-25 minutes. We were in a good place but then became a wee bit sloppy. limping off in yesterday’s Scottish Cup stroll against St Johnstone.
But the on loan West Brom star is not expected to miss this week’s Europa League showdown with We misplaced passes and came out of our shape. We have them an opportunity and Scott Bain made a good save.
“So at half-time we had to re-establish control of the game in terms of our positioning. It allows us to press the game better and sustain more attacks. We were excellent in the second half.”
Rodgers revealed Olivier Ntcham suffered a tight hamstring in the warm up yesterday and wasn’t risked, while Jozo Simunovic was withdrawn at the interval with a bug.
The Hoops boss (inset) the Spanish big guns in Glasgow.
Boss Brendan Rodgers said: “Oli took a knock to his ankle. We hope he’ll be okay.
“You see his intensity hailed Jonny Hayes after the wide man slotted in at left back due to injuries to Kieran Tierney and Emilio Izaguirre.
“Guys like Jonny aren’t playing so much but that’s a testament to how professional and focused they are, that when they are asked to come in and play, they can do it like Jonny did. He was full of energy, created a goal and defended well.
“There were some options for him in January but I told him I couldn’t let him go. If he was at any other team, he’d probably be playing every week with his qualities.” and the threat he gives us. He was absolutely fantastic. He should be okay for Thursday.
“He has wonderful attributes and his pressing sets a real tone.
“The speed he showed for Scott Sinclair’s first goal and the second one in behind is frightening really.
“It’s a joy to watch a Scottish player with that physicality and quality.”
Kilmarnock Rangers
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CRAIG SWAN
RANGERS blew a golden chance to advance in the Scottish Cup on Saturday as skipper James Tavernier missed a penalty.
In a tight and scrappy game at Kilmarnock, Rangers should have broken the deadlock after Kirk Broadfoot handled in the box as he fell blocking Scott Arfield’s shot.
But for the second successive game, Killie keeper Daniel Bachmann saved a spot-kick, denying Tavernier after thwarting Dundee’s Kenny Miller in midweek.
Rangers struggled without the banned Alfredo Morelos. The Colombian’s ability to hustle defenders was missed as Jermain Defoe toiled to get into the contest.
One second-half chance for the Englishman was fired wide. Killie’s best chance came when a corner caused havoc and Andy Halliday cleared Youssouf Mulumbu’s effort off the line.
The replay is on Wednesday week and Mulumbu is adamant Kilmarnock can storm Ibrox and reach the last eight of the Cup.
The Congolese enjoyed his first outing at Rugby Park since returning on loan from Celtic, looking as though he’d never been away with a strong display.
He said: “Obviously at Celtic I didn’t have many games and it was a bit frustrating but I’m back at Kilmarnock and there was a little bit of pressure to be involved in the game and to prepare. I was happy.
“I thought we did well. We are fully confident.
“It’s a cup game and we will try to win it.”