ALSY

Celtic's midfield is excellent at the moment and I think we'll need someone nominally in one of the wide areas who is comfortable tucking when required to. For that reason, I wouldn't start with both Doran and Hayes. Don't know how Ross played yesterday, but I think I'd be inclined to start him ahead of Doran, who from what I've seen can drift in and out of games a bit. Apart from that, I'd go with ajsict92's team.

Bloody hell. What a great feeling to be wrong. Mate at the game says we were far and away the better team. Maybe Terry's talks did the job. Hope this is a good omen for next week.

Obviously TB has no choice, what with the injury situation, but I struggle to see where the creativity in that team is going to come from. A draw would be a decent result today, IMO.

:irritated:

You never know - remember Ibrox?

Tremendous post. I also agree about the haste with which we refer to the long ball, and CaleyD made a similar point. During our best season in the SPL, Charlie Christie really tried to play that way and it paid off quite well. That said, we had midfielders a little better equipped to play that way: Ian Black's ability to put his foot on the ball and open up play is often overlooked because of his reputation as a 'hard man'. We badly need a creative midfielder who can slow the game down and bring the wide men and attackers into play effectively. Briefly I thought Vigurs might fulfil that role but Butcher obviously didn't fancy him; Nick Ross might still grow into it but it will rely on him being given the chance in the right position and being able to take it. Cox and Duff together aren't the answer, but for this season, if they keep us clear of relegation, it will do fine. As for good value, the 4-0 against United, 2-2 against Celtic and 1-1 draws against Rangers alone will leave me with some pretty good memories of what is, don't forget, our first season back after relegation.

Read the full text of this on the editorial forum and it's absolutely brilliant, but for some reason when I click on the main page only the title comes up. Is this just a problem with my PC, or is it a mistake, or am I being whooshed in some way far too sophisticated for my tiny mind?

From where I was sitting,Rooney was our best outfield player by some distance. We had maybe five or six chances of any note in the whole game - four of them were largely down to Rooney's ability to read where the ball was going even if, on this occasion, his finishes were below his usual standard. He also did his best to hold up the ball and look for support, which was largely non-existent. The service he received on Saturday was absolutely diabolical - he can't be in three places at once, but did at least tend to be in the correct areas of the pitch looking for the ball, unlike the majority of his team-mates (Foran, perhaps, excepted).

Motherwell look a good deal better than we looked yesterday. I'd hoped next Saturday would be an opportunity to pick up three points, but if Motherwell play anything like this then we'll struggle.

Probably going to meet TSNY et al at Robbie's first, but will definitely make it along to the Iona before kick off. Looking forward to this - always one of the best away days.

Hmm. Sutherland for Odhiambo and Tokely for Innes from the team that played the bulk of last week's match. Slightly surprised by that. I wonder if Foran will be restored to one of the wide positions with Sutherland up front, or if Sutherland will be asked to play wide?

I think TB might play Duff at left back and Rossoce at right back - Duff was solid enough there on Saturday after Butcher switched him and Proctor after Saints' second goal. Probably a toss up between Proctor and Odhiambo for the wide right role. Think I'd rather see Ross in the team ahead of either of them if he was fit though.

I'm not convinced by this 'Syd Everingham, piggery owner' alias. I think we've just discovered what John Hughes has been doing since leaving Hibernian...

The second goal makes him look bad, even though I'm not sure he was actually at fault: if he'd been covering his back post he'd have left the whole goal gaping, especially with the defenders so far forward in the box. Looked like a fluke IMO. He's had a couple decent saves since then - hope he can get a few more in in the second half.

Not having a particularly good night so far...

Rangers. We might have beaten Celtic in the cup twice before, but they're a much better team than Rangers at the moment. There's been very little between the teams in our three games against Rangers this season.

:irritated:

Great game to watch. Not so sure it'll be Rangers in teh next round. Celtic look by far the better team even with ten and fully deserved that second equaliser. Unbelieveable save from McGregor there. ...and Naismith just sent off for diving! Brave decision, but the right one too, judging by the replay. From our pov would probably rather Rangers got through, as Celtic are the better side at the moment, but then we do have a better cup record against Celtic.

Happy birthday Johndo. I'm sure you'll be proud to know that you share your birthday with Rick Astley.

Really impressed by what I saw on the highlights. It was great to see so much creativity going forward. Odhiambo played a decent role in the build-up to one of the goals (first or second, can't remember which) but if he was ineffective otherwise, as people have been saying, and if Hayes is still injured, then how about Sanchez on one of the wings against St Mirren if he is fit? From the limited highlights he looked really busy and put in a beautiful ball from the left for one of the goals in the second half. Surely Duncan must keep his place too now?

Nice one.

Oh yes. Working on the match preview just now. I'm really looking forward to this one - hoping today is another turning point in our season and can't wait to see Doran in the flesh.

It will turn to 11,000 if we make the semis! :( I don't know about that, mate - I've got a feeling we'd take far fewer down than we did for our previous two semis. Playing in Glasgow against 'big' opposition isn't the novelty it once was for many of our supporters. If we were to get to the final, on the other hand... No cup shocks today, then. Pity Ayr couldn't do the business over St Mirren.

Just got in to find out the score. Nice surprise - I was expecting us to struggle. Sounds like we've found someone in Doran who can really supply chances - suddenly Rooney starts scoring again. Please please please let it be Brechin away in the quarter finals.

Brilliant, Davie. I'm impressed with Sir William's latest work - he seems to have developed a btter grasp of metre than he used to have...