Desperate Celtic seek Cup healing

Celtic interim manager Neil Lennon says their Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Ross County is their biggest game of the season, conceding it is their most realistic chance of a trophy.

The Hoops have had a poor season and trail rivals Rangers by 13 points in the Scottish Premier League while they exited the League Cup to Hearts.

Previous manager Tony Mowbray, who only arrived at the club in the summer, lost his job last month after overseeing a campaign in which Celtic have lost 13 times in all competitions so far.

Celtic have won both games since Lennon and Johan Mjallby took over the reins at Parkhead but as they prepare to take on lower league opposition at Hampden on Saturday the interim boss said his side would not be complacent as they chase a 35th Scottish Cup.

“While we keep pushing Rangers for the title, this is our most realistic chance of silverware so we want to get to that final,” Lennon said.

“It’s the most important game of the season for us now. I know semi-finals are very nervy occasions. They are difficult and have a different atmosphere in a different stadium, so we won’t be taking anything for granted. There will be no complacency on our part.”

In contrast lower league opposition Ross County are having a season to remember.

The most northerly league club in Britain are riding high in the First Division which they still have a chance of winning.

County, who knocked out Hibernian in the quarter-finals and Hamilton in the League Cup already this season, are in the semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history.

Manager Derek Adams, himself a Scottish Cup semi-finalist as a player with Motherwell in 2003, said his players were not heading to the national stadium to merely make up the numbers.

“We’re looking to go there and provide a test and put on a good show,” Adams said.

“We’ll go and pass the ball, we’ll get bodies forward and we’ll attack and that’s our main purpose that we’ve had all season and we see no difference.

“Celtic are a good side, they’ve got really good players, but we’ll go there and try and put the onus on Celtic. They’ve got quality players, top class players and that’ll be seen on Saturday. We’re under no illusions how difficult it’ll be for us.”

In Sunday’s semi-final lower league opposition also take on a team from the top flight when Raith Rovers take on Dundee United.

Raith dismissed Dundee and Aberdeen on their way to making it to Hampden for the first time since the 1950s.

However United, under the leadership of Peter Houston, overcame Old Firm giants Rangers 1-0 at Tannadice in their quarter-final replay after drawing 3-3 at Ibrox.

The Arabs have recovered from the blow of losing manager Craig Levein to the Scotland job in December to sit in third place and on the verge of their first Scottish Cup final appearance since 2005.

But despite such an impressive recent run Houston says he will urge his players to be on their guard against Raith, who are looking for their first major trophy since clinching the League Cup at Ibrox in 1994.

“I’m a cautious person, I’ll take nothing for granted,” Houston said.

“We’ve got to give them every due respect – they’ve earned the right to be there by winning some tough ties.

“There’s certainly an apprehension in the squad, but it’s a game we’re looking forward to because it’s not often you get to semi-finals – even at Dundee United.”

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Celtic v Ross County (1215)

Sunday

Dundee United v Raith Rovers