Semi draw throws up Old Firm clash No.6
CELTIC and Rangers will meet six times this season after landing a Scottish Cup semi-final showdown last night.
And holders Hibs are aiming for a second straight final after drawing Aberdeen.
The Glasgow giants will go head-to-head for the third successive time in the last four of a national cup competition.
Rangers won the semi-final at Hampden 12 months ago when Mark Warburton’s Championship team upset the odds to overcome Ronny Deila’s outfit in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. However, with
Brendan Rodgers at the helm in place of the axed Norwegian, Celtic won the last knockout meeting when Moussa Dembele’s last-gasp strike gave his team a 1-0 success in the last-four of the Betfred Cup five months ago.
Rodgers’ team have also won both Old Firm clashes in the Premiership this term and, with the clubs due to square off on Sunday and once more in the top-flight before the campaign ends, the Scottish Cup showdown will make it half-a-dozen meetings this season.
Despite their dominance in the fixture this term, the champions must end a 92-year hoodoo to win the Treble as they haven’t beaten Rangers in a Scottish Cup semi since Jimmy McGrory’s hat-trick helped them win 5-0 in 1925.
Gers, who KO’d Hamilton 6-0 to book their spot in the semis, should have a new manager in place for the tie, with Portuguese Pedro Caixinha the top candidate.
Hibs and Aberdeen are both confident after the draw – which was made by Celtic legend Bertie Auld and Falkirk technical director Alex Smith – paired them together.
Hibees ace John McGinn insists the Dons will not fancy a clash against his Championship team.
He said: “Everyone in Scotland knows what we’re capable of.
“I don’t think anyone would be over the moon to get us in the semi-final draw. It’s just going to be great getting back to Hampden.
“Whoever turns up on the day, they’ve got a big chance and we know if we’re on it then we’re more than capable of causing an upset.
“It’s exciting. Something to look forward to.”
Pittodrie manager Derek McInnes was also pleased with the pairing.
Hibs and Aberdeen last met in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup five years ago and the Leith side triumphed 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp winner from Leigh Griffiths.
McInnes said: “It’s a good draw. Hibs will see it exactly the same.
“If we’re all being honest, the three other teams wanted to avoid Celtic, the strongest side at the minute.
“But it’s not easy against Hibs. They have an experienced boss in Neil Lennon and the experience of winning the Cup.
“It will be a very close game. We just need to go there in good form.”
Aberdeen lost the Betfred Cup Final to Celtic last November but McInnes added: “We said at start of season we wanted to win two cups. One final didn’t go how we wanted.
“We said after that game that we would start to feel better about ourselves by revisiting another final as quickly as possible. We’re close to that now.”
● The semi-finals will be played on April 22-23.