Blogs & Opinion


Andy Walker:

Most Popular Posts:

Recent Comments:

Ian Cunningham on Gers in good Nik

"While I agree, Naismith will be a big miss for Rangers, my only hope is that we can't actually play as badly in this game as we did in the last Old Firm derby. That will depend ... " View all comments

Celtic will need to focus fully in Wednesday's Cup clash at Arbroath, says Andy Walker

Andy Walker Posted 10th December 2012 view comments

Following the hugely impressive achievement of reaching the knockout phase of the Champions League, Neil Lennon's Celtic side now turn their attention to a domestic knockout tournament when they travel to Arbroath for a Scottish Cup replay on Wednesday night.

The 1-1 draw at Celtic Park 10 days ago proved that the Scottish champions should take nothing for granted against a spirited Second Division part-time side.

Paul Sheerin's part-timers also deserve enormous credit for securing a lucrative replay and a second Cup clash against the Scottish champions will be the highlight of their season.

Arbroath player-manager Paul Sherrin during the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park

Arbroath player-manager Paul Sherrin during the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park

Even allowing for the fact that a number of his men will have already put in a hard day's work before kick-off in front of the live Sky Sports cameras at Gayfield on Wednesday, motivation won't be a problem for Arbroath's player-manager.

Paul Sheerin has enough big-game experience from his playing days and brief managerial career to know how to approach this game.

The experience of Brian Kerr, alongside that of his player-manager, will be a deciding factor in whether Arbroath can get some sort of foothold in the game.

Andy Walker
Quotes of the week

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS

SCOTTISH CUP
Arbroath v Celtic
7.30pm, Wed, Sky Sports 1 HD

Last season, I covered Arbroath's Scottish Cup tie at home to Rangers and given that they lost this one 4-0, my guess is that Sheerin will have learned a lot from that experience.

Everton's Nikica Jelavic was in top form for Rangers on that occasion when the part-timers played a very open game and with Celtic having similar big names capable of swinging the game their way, I doubt Arbroath will be so adventurous in their approach for this one.

The experience of former Newcastle, Motherwell and Dundee midfielder Brian Kerr, alongside that of his player-manager, will be a deciding factor in whether Arbroath can get some sort of foothold in the game.

Approach

On Saturday against Kilmarnock in the SPL, Celtic demonstrated just how far in front they are of the rest in Scotland with a professional and ruthless display.

However, it's fair to say Neil Lennon's men haven't always had the best attitude towards domestic games this season.

Defeats to St Johnstone, Kilmarnock & Inverness Caledonian Thistle as well as some surprising draws have meant that Lennon can trust some players more than others and on Saturday against Kilmarnock, he had a team that were totally focused on the 90 minutes.

Make no mistake, if the Celtic players have the correct attitude from now until the end of the season, they will win the treble.

Against the very best Europe has had to offer in the Champions League, Neil Lennon's men have had the ability to win difficult games home & away.

Having already progressed to the semi-final of the Scottish Communities League Cup and now beginning to open a gap at the top of the SPL, attitude to games is their only handicap.

A win over Arbroath will see them progress as huge favourites again with another tricky tie against lower league opposition in the form of Raith Rovers.

My guess is that with Champions League football on the backburner til February, Celtic will now start to focus all of their attention on domestic matters.

Post to your View!

Be the first to post a comment on this story

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private

back to top

Other Football Experts:

Latest Posts in Football:

Jeff Stelling

All bases covered

Bayern Munich's all-round excellence should see off Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, says Jeff Stelling....

Andy Walker

Mountain to climb

Andy Walker says Hibs are up against it in Sunday's Scottish Cup Final against SPL champions Celtic....

Peter Beagrie

Yellow fever

Watford have a greater goal threat than Crystal Palace, says Beags, and will prevail at Wembley....

Latest News RSS feeds

Gill expecting Rooney to stay

Manchester United chief executive David Gill expects Wayne Rooney to stay at Old Trafford in the summer.

Aguero: I'm staying at City

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero says he has no intention of leaving the club this summer.

Lampard hopes for Terry deal

Frank Lampard hopes team-mate John Terry will follow him in agreeing a new contract to remain at Chelsea.

Heynckes Hails in-form Robben

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes believes Arjen Robben could prove to be the key man in the UEFA Champions League final

Monaco spend big on Porto duo

Monaco have confirmed the signings of FC Porto duo Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez for a combined fee of €70million.

Features

Dream Come True

Dream Come True

Graeme Bailey speaks to Gibraltar head coach Allen Bula after their admission into UEFA.

Wembley countdown

Wembley countdown

We're live at Wembley on Friday and Saturday for all the build-up to the Champions League Final.

Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp preview Champions League final

Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp preview Champions League final

The Bundesliga's top two will fight it out at Wembley on Saturday night for European football's ultimate prize.