All that matters today is winning. Above and beyond everything else, there’s that fact.
We have a chance to return to Hampden and add to the best winning record in cup competitions in the history of this island.
It is an opportunity we don’t want to miss.
In midweek we all felt pretty low, but yesterday’s Sevco meltdown has reminded us all that what happens here in Scotland is what counts at the moment, and not what goes down in a competition where progress is a bonus and you’re just waiting to hit the wall.
The Scottish Cup is all that stands between us and an epic fourth treble in a row. Win today and we are two matches away from the greatest domestic footballing accomplishment in the history of the game here. With a ninth league title on top of it.
It is impossible to overstate the shockwaves yesterday has sent through Ibrox; that club is virtually on its knees. All of a sudden we’ve gone from Wednesday’s despair to feeling as if the momentum is still with us, and in domestic terms that’s definitely true.
Today we have to get back to doing what we do best; dominating.
A win will do … but how good would it be to really put on a show?
What a way to multiply the pain at Ibrox, and to stamp our authority on the game here once more.
The Scottish Cup has been a good tournament for us.
We want to keep this incredible run going. Our team-talk has just about been done for us too, with the critics piling in over the Copenhagen game. How do we bounce back? Well, could you think of a better way, or a better weekend?
I would imagine we’ll be returning to two up front, but at the moment you never know. Lennon could throw up a surprise or two at us. Either way, I expect us to have enough to deal with St Johnstone and book another place at Hampden.
For players like McGregor and Forrest and Edouard this will be business as usual.
For those like Jullien, who are just here, it’s another chance to cement their status as winners.
That will be vital going forward.
Nothing is better for a footballer than the thrill of victory, the sort that comes with a medal.
Most of our squad is so used to it now that they can’t imagine anything else.
The rest are getting a taste for it.
That’s perfect, and in stark contrast to the losers across town.