The ball was out for a throw-in and I was lingering near the touchline. A rather angry chap in the stands aimed a rather charming insult at me that I couldn’t repeat in a family newspaper.
Seconds later the guy’s son – who was about seven – repeated the very same insult and I clocked it, expecting the kid to get a bit of a telling off. But got a pat on his back from his dad instead! I haven’t forgotten that less-than-friendly welcome at Tynecastle that day and Celtic should be expecting a similarly hostile atmosphere this lunchtime.
Despite the stick, it was a place I always enjoyed going to – perhaps because I never lost. The charged up atmosphere only motivated us more and it was always one of the games you looked forward to. It was also one of the toughest. Make no mistake, this is a huge Scottish Cup tie.
And thanks to Robbie Neilson lighting the blue touch paper, there should be an extra level of spice to proceedings. I wouldn’t slaughter the Hearts manager for his comments after the game the other night. He’s entitled to his opinion and he’s obviously trying to put a bit of pressure on the match officials. Neilson’s had previous with this kind of stuff though. It seems like every time his side loses to Celtic there’s a moan about something – even correct decisions.
I remember he once complained about a goal being given when it was close to the line. Replays showed it was a mile over but Neilson claimed there was no way the officials could have known it! Good effort Robbie. His gripe the other night was similar. The Alexandro Bernabei challenge was never a red card in a month of Sundays.
Excessive force? A tickling stick would cause more damage. Callum McGrego r was on the end of a worse one at Tynecastle a few games back and Neilson argued it didn’t merit a red. As for needing a decapitation to get a red card at Celtic Park? I’m not sure about that as we’ve seen a couple of sendings off this season.
Don’t forget there were a few dodgy calls that went his side’s way the last time Celtic were at Tynecastle as well. But Neilson went in two feet on the officials the other night and if he thinks it might put a seed of doubt in the minds of the referee then he might think it was worth it. Either way Celtic will have their hands full.
I didn’t buy the talk Hearts somehow had the measure of Celtic the other night. They might have done better than most at Celtic Park but Joe Hart had the pipe and slippers out. That doesn’t mean I don’t think Hearts will be a proper threat to Celtic today. Far from it.
They might not be talking about Trebles, or even allowing themselves to think about the prospect of one, but there is a greed for success in this Celtic team and this is a hurdle that will need to be negotiated. Outside Ibrox, this is the toughest tie my old club could have landed.
There’s some interesting decisions for Ange Postecoglou. I’d expect Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston to return to the side. I felt a little for Bernabei and Tony Ralston as they came in the other night having not played for some time. It’s a heck of a shift being a Celtic full back and they see a lot of the ball. If you’re even a bit rusty it will stand out a mile.
Postecoglou admitted as much himself but it would have done the other two a bit of good sitting one out. You’d fancy Reo Hatate to come back in but there’s a big call in the wide areas. There was a clamber for Liel Ababa to start but it didn’t really happen for him against Hearts.
It’s a strange one because he’s been so effective from the bench and his numbers are incredible. With Daizen Maeda a major doubt, there could finally be an opportunity for Sead Haksabanovic. He’s been behind Abada in the pecking order and usually limited to 15 or 20 minutes here or there.
But when he’s come on he’s made an impact. He’s said all the right things about being patient and biding his time, but players want to be starting games and he might be entitled to feel he’s due a chance. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Haksabanovic so far. He’s a different kind of player to the rest of the Celtic wingers and he clearly doesn’t lack confidence.
It was a shame Maeda was forced off the other night as he was having a very good night down the left flank and his workrate and all round game is so important to this Celtic team. But Tynecastle will pose a different problem. It will be a bit tighter and there won’t be the open spaces in behind to exploit.
Someone like Haksabanovic could be key to getting out of those cul-de-sacs and creating opportunities. For all Neilson’s comments were a bit out there this week, I’ve been impressed with the job he’s done at Hearts. They are comfortably the third best side in the country and he has shown he can mix things up with his formation and tactics.
No one would have picked the side he sent out the other night, but they did give Celtic plenty to think about. It’ll be the same today and the one thing they can guarantee is a terrific atmosphere. Forget about decapitation talk, Celtic will need to keep their heads and if they are to stay on course for the clean sweep.
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