IT’LL BE OLD FIRM FINALE
CHARLIE MULGREW last night tipped the Old Firm to be on an end-of-season collision course in the Scottish Cup.
Celtic face Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday in the first semi-final with the league leaders looking to book a return for the season finale on May 25.
And on Sunday it will be the turn of Rangers to take another step closer to silverware when they take on Hearts at the National Stadium.
And with the city rivals still slugging it out in the run-in to the Premiership title, former Celtic stalwart Mulgrew believes the campaign will have more derby-day dramas to come.
Asked for his view on who would come out on top in the two semis, Mulgrew said: “If I had to bet on it my prediction would be a Celtic v Rangers final but it will be difficult.
“They are playing against two teams that are desperate to get there and win some silverware too.
“If they can get to a final and have that chance to do that they’re going to be up for it.
“Sometimes when you are playing against an underdog it’s hard because all the expectation is on Celtic and Rangers.”
Mulgrew believes the fight for domestic dominance between Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops and Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side will come down to which of the teams can handle the spiralling pressure as they head into the final straight. He said: “I tried to avoid it as a player but you just feel it.
“In Glasgow it’s unique. You can go to the shop and somebody will say, ‘What happened on Saturday?’ and you just instantly get a feeling of how people are feeling from the tone of their voice. You know.
“It’s the opposite if you win and the other team loses. You bump into fans of your own club and they are high as a kite. Suddenly you feel like everything has turned.
“Everywhere you go, you get a feeling of how things are. You can only avoid it if you lock yourself in the house.
“Some players will look at social media, others won’t. Some players will read papers, others won’t.
“Everybody’s different but you find your own way to cope.”
l Charlie Mulgrew was speaking at a media event for Scottish Gas, the proud partner of the Scottish Cup.