OVERHEAD & OUT
Joy for Gerrard as Davis acrobatics help Rangers hand Celtic Cup KO
Davis 10, Kenny og 34 RANGERS ended Celtic’s four-year Scottish Cup domination by taking a giant step towards a Double.
Steven Davis’ early overhead kick and an own goal by Jonjoe Kenny earned the champions a fourth-round victory at Ibrox.
Odsonne Edouard saw a weak penalty saved by Allan McGregor late on to heap more misery on the Hoops, who had last lost a Scottish Cup tie almost exactly five years ago.
Celtic will now end a sorry campaign without a trophy for the first time since 2010.
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard (far right) said: “We won the league really early and from my point of view, I’ve seen the boys come off it, but it was important we made a statement.
“We had to be close to our best to beat Celtic and we were.
“The question is can we maintain it until the end of the season?
“It’s important now we treat every game like it’s going to be an Old Firm. If we do, it’ll be an interesting end to the season.
“I thought we were back to our best. We rode our luck at times but I don’t think anyone could take it away from us that we deserved it.”
Celtic interim manager John Kennedy had stoked things up beforehand by talking up his players.
Rangers were quick to use their social media channels to troll their neighbours by posting that it was
‘a win against the best team in the league.’
Kennedy admitted his side hadn’t risen to the occasion after all.
He said: “We were too soft in our pressing in the first half, and lacked belief.
“In front of goal we have enough belief.
“When it stays 2-0, you have a mountain to climb.
“Our second half was much better but this game was all about the result.” The didn’t champions will play St Johnstone, 2-0 victors over third-tier Clyde on Saturday, next weekend for a place in the semis.
Martin Boyle’s late brace, including one from the spot, earned Hibernian a
4-0 win at Stranraer. Christian Doidge opened the scoring against the League
Two hosts, with Kevin Nisbet’s free-kick doubling the lead. Boss Jack Ross said: “They have been like that all season. When you look at the amount of goals the three of them have contributed, they are all in double figures, which is terrific.”
Hibs will host Motherwell, who beat Morton in a penalty shoot-out on Friday, for a place in the semis.
Aberdeen beat Livingston on penalties on Saturday to earn a home quarter-final with Dundee United, who were made to work hard for a 1-0 win at Forfar on Friday.
Kilmarnock beat Montrose 3-1 and will host St Mirren.