FOOTBALL/SCOTTISH CUP The six key moments in the game

The first moment came before the match even got started. James Forrest’s back discomfort didn’t ease enough to allow the winger to take part. He was instrumental in Celtic thumping Livingston last weekend and his absence would have encouraged John Kennedy into returning to the 4-4-2 diamond after utilising a 4-2-3-1 last time out. The system worked well in the past two Old Firm meetings but didn’t quite reach those levels this time around. 2

Likewise, Kennedy’s decision to select Diego Laxalt over Greg Taylor ended up having a huge bearing on the match. Taylor had been excellent against Livingston and has shown in 2021 that he’s a better option at left-back than the Uruguayan loanee. Laxalt was ineffective in attack, a crucial competent in the narrow system, while defensively he was exposed for the first two goals. He was hooked at half-time but the damage had been done. 3

The build-up to the opening goal highlighted the difference between this match and the two previous Old Firm encounters, particularly the last match at Ibrox. Ryan Kent spun away from Scott Brown before charging up the park, a move that would ultimately see the ball find its way to the back of the net and indicated this was going to be a very different game . The away side couldn’t get a handle on the explosive attacker, who was excellent throughout.