Key Takeaways
- Interim Celtic manager Martin O’Neill says his side are “not good enough” to look past the semi-final.
- Celtic face St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday, hoping to avenge December’s League Cup final loss.
- With Liam Scales banned, teenager Dane Murray or Benjamin Arthur will partner Auston Trusty in central defence.
Martin O’Neill has warned Celtic supporters not to dream of a trophy farewell as his team prepare for a Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren this weekend.
The 74-year-old, back in interim charge after a chaotic campaign, ruled out talk of a romantic cup ending. “We are not at the level where we can look that far ahead,” he said. “Our only focus is the next 90 minutes.”
Celtic meet the Paisley club at Hampden on Sunday, six months after St Mirren shocked them in the League Cup show-piece. O’Neill, who lifted this trophy three times during his first stint at the club, admits the memory still stings. “They beat us once; we must make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he added.
The champions sit third in the Premiership, three points adrift of leaders Hearts and two behind Rangers with five matches left. A cup win, O’Neill believes, could lift the whole squad. “Victory would give us fresh energy for the league run-in,” he explained. “Defeat could do the opposite.”
Defensive changes are forced. Liam Scales is suspended, so 19-year-old Dane Murray or academy graduate Benjamin Arthur will join Auston Trusty at centre-half. Anthony Ralston keeps the right-back slot because Alistair Johnston is still short after a hamstring lay-off and Colby Donovan is injured.
Despite the problems, O’Neill wants a reaction. “The boys know what’s at stake,” he said. “We have a chance to fix the December hurt. Let’s take it.”