SATURDAY JURY
DAVID McCARTHY
A couple of things: the clown who took the flare into the game and lobbed it onto the park should be banned. The clown who booted it full force back into the crowd with complete disregard for who it would hit, should also be banned.
John Lundstram had his best game in a blue shirt on Wednesday and is a proven EPL player. I think he’ll come good and land a starting slot in the fullness of time.
A lot can happen between now and the third week in November but if those matches were being played this weekend, I’d fancy Rangers to edge past Hibs and wouldn’t bet against St Johnstone knocking out Celtic.
Luck comes into it in the shape of the injuries to Kyogo and Greg Taylor but not so much in terms of Giakoumakis, who was signed when clearly not fit and looks to have suffered in the rush to get him playing. Boss Postecoglou inherited a shambles and it will take time to turn it around.
Hassle just seems to follow the striker around and he doesn’t help himself at times. He’ll get some grief from Hampden for that.
Looking at the signings, Moore is right. But Rangers were going to have to spend bid to replace a top-team player unless they sold. And they didn’t.
St Johnstone and Hibs will both strongly fancy their chances. Don’t bet on a Glasgow final.
It’s a sign that Celtic got some of their business done too late. However, such upheaval was always going to be a slow process.
FRASER WILSON
LEIGH GRIFFITHS is in hot water again. Is it time the authorities threw the book at the striker?
I’m afraid so. You’d hope Griffiths would have learned by now not to react to abuse from the stands no matter how severe. Sadly not. Wednesday night’s incident endangered the paying public and for that there’s no excuse.
CRAIG MOORE called Rangers’ summer recruits ‘squad fillers’. Are there any who’ll command a starting jersey?
He’s not far wrong given the lack of impact of any of the arrivals. But John Lundstram is slowly coming to the fore and whether he’s sitting in the Steven Davis role or given box-to-box orders then he is one I expect to make a difference.
THE Premier Sports Cup semi-finals has thrown up two crackers .. who do you expect to be in the final?
I reckon Rangers will have too much drive to fall short of a final again and should edge Hibs. The other one really is tight and if push came to shove I’d fancy St Johnstone’s Hampden know-how to see them through against Celtic.
IS Celtic’s growing injury list bad luck or just a sign of how far they are behind Rangers in terms of squad strength?
A dozen summer signings suggests Celtic were serious about closing the gap and they will. But it was all too late to ensure a smooth start. It’s not bad luck, as almost every club has suffered injury and Covid issues so far.