It’s cup semi-final weekend, and for one half of this city, it’s a moment of genuine excitement. We’re going into the game against Aberdeen in strong form and high spirits, expecting a top-tier battle against a top-tier team. Aberdeen are a serious outfit this season, and their recent performances have shown they’ll be no easy opponent.
As good as Aberdeen are, we’re fully entitled to be optimistic.
We have every reason to feel upbeat heading into this game, and it’s something we’re all looking forward to.
This will be a proper test for both teams, and neither side will settle for a passive match. It’s the type of occasion every cup semi-final should be—a high-stakes, high-drama event where both sides go all out for the win. I, for one, can’t wait for kick-off; the countdowns already begun!
Of course, I’m confident we’ll come out on top. Aberdeen have gained enough momentum under their manager to make them a formidable league presence, and I fully expect them to continue pushing us hard, whatever the outcome here. They’ll keep holding their lead over our friends across town, adding another layer of competition to the season.
But Rodgers record at Hampden is exemplary. He’s never lost at the national stadium, and this will not be the weekend when that changes.
This semi-final has all the hallmarks of a classic, and I’ve said before that it feels like a final before the final. This should be the true showcase event, but heated balls or whatever else prevented that. The Ibrox club simply isn’t prepared for us, nor, it appears, for Aberdeen either. So, they were given Motherwell, and the whole country has been deprived.
The best two sides in Scotland thus play Saturday.
Both teams have faith in their own ability, and neither will sit back. We expect our own team to go for it. What’s new here is that Aberdeen are going to do the same. We know who Aberdeen’s danger men are, and they know ours. They’ve got a quality manager, and we’ve got one too—both sides will let the chips fall where they may.
For Aberdeen, a win here sets them up for a credible shot at the trophy. They’ll believe they can take on anyone in the final if they get there, and why not? If they come through us, they’ll have earned the right. We, on the other hand, have every confidence that whoever we meet in the final won’t pose a threat. There’s no reason for us to fear the Ibrox club, in particular.
For them, this cup is about proving they’re back in business as a force.
For us, it’s about cementing our place as Scotland’s undisputed most successful club. Winning this sets us up to pull the rug from under the lies —their so-called history, propped up by the Survival Liem is all about the silverware and it only matters to them because they make these ludicrous “most successful club in the world” claims. This win would give us the opportunity, come final day at Hampden, to relegate all of it to history.
Across the city, there’s little of our optimism. They’re worried about their own semi-final, and none of them is looking forward to watching that dreary brand of football they play. They’re in an odd spot, dreading the prospect of facing us in a final if we’re the opponent. And if that’s the case by the time they kick off, their game could feel like a futile exercise, merely propping up their manager for another few weeks—or months.
It’s a strange kind of limbo they’re in, trudging through matches with that nagging thought in the back of their minds: “Just let this be over.”
Because they know he’s not taking them forward. They know the ‘wait and see’ line is him buying time, hoping to delay the inevitable for a few more pay checks, even as the damage mounts. It’s transparent. He’s simply kicking the can down the road.
Were the stakes not so high for us, I think some of them would even welcome a semi-final defeat if it expedited his sacking. And let’s be frank: if they lose on Sunday, he’s done. I don’t expect he would, or could, last another day.
I mentioned weeks ago that when a manager’s at that point, where every game feels like it could be his last, he’s already dead in the water. There’s no coming back from that. Their recent record is shocking—only two wins out of the last ten away league matches. I knew things were bad, but even I didn’t realise they were that bad.
And this at a time when we’ve just set a multi-decade record with our seventh consecutive away win in the league. The difference in fortunes couldn’t be clearer. We’re in form, approaching our peak. They’re on the downslope, treading water.
So while we’re eagerly anticipating this semi-final weekend, for them, it’s just another grim walk through the wilderness of despair.
Had to laugh at Kris Boyd talking about how the Dons manager won’t be there long because a bigger team will snap him up. Funny to hear him use the same old lines they usually reserve for our best players. Every time they come up against a formidable foe, the “hopium” kicks in!
Aberdeen were very physical the last time they played us,I can see a red card this time.
At least one of the games might go to penalties.