Kris Commons has written the most positive of previews as far as Celtic are concerned for Easter Sunday’s Scottish Cup Glasgow Derby at Hamden where Celtic will take on the Old Firm in the 2pm kick-off looking to complete a 2022 treble of wins over the latest Ibrox club with victories at Celtic Park, Ibrox and Hampden.
And the Europa League quarter final second leg at Ibrox on Thursday night where theRangers attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg could have an impact on the way Ange Postecoglou approaches the Glasgow Derby, especially if that game at Ibrox drifts into extra-time.
“Celtic’s ruthless performance in beating St Johnstone 7-0 on Saturday was pretty ominous for (the)Rangers,” reckons Kris Commons. Writing in his Monday column in Scottish Daily Mail for the former Celtic forward continued reckons that Ange Postecoglou will be looking for his team to throw everything at theRangers at Hampden on Sunday afternoon in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
“Ange Postecoglou isn’t looking for his side to tiptoe over the line in this title race. He is wanting to send out a real, clear message to the rest of the league that Celtic are on top form right now and peaking at exactly the right time of the season.
“You can only imagine they are going to get even better with more time on the training ground and building better relationships on and off the park.
“It’s pretty remarkable where they are right now. The future looks really bright. Some have even suggested that Celtic looked like they did at their peak under Brendan Rodgers. That’s a compliment to Postecoglou as much as it is to Rodgers.
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“Brendan’s time at Celtic was incredible but he probably had a little bit more money at his disposal than the Australian. That just shows you how good a job he’s doing. But nothing’s won yet. There’s still a job to be done and his main objective will be to keep these high standards going right until the end of the season,” Commons continued, seemingly overlooking the League Cup that Postecoglou and Callum McGregor personally returned to the trophy cabinet at Celtic Park in December after beating Hibs 2-1 in the Final at Hampden.
“Celtic are going for the Treble,” as Commons seemingly corrects his mistake, “but they’re also going for a treble of wins over (the)Rangers at Celtic Park, Ibrox and Hampden.
“And they’ll be keeping half an eye on (the)Rangers to see how much energy they expend against Braga in the Europa League on Thursday night,” Commons added. That could be a close one on Thursday you know, it might even go to extra-time, as Commons notes.
“If Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men have a tough evening, Postecoglou might change his plans and really go for the jugular even more than normal. If (the)Rangers play extra time, he may look at injecting extra pace in wide areas.
“Ange has never been one for defending. He won’t be looking to creep over the line in the Scottish Cup either. He’ll be looking to blow (the)Rangers away. Looking to win emphatically with entertaining, attacking football in the Celtic tradition.
“And if Celtic can maintain their recent form, they should do that.”
Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final against the Old Firm kicks off at Hampden at 2pm this Sunday and if you haven’t got a ticket it’s live on Premier Sports.
