Adam Matthews insists there is no more pressure on Celtic to win the William Hill Scottish Cup now that rivals Rangers are out of the competition.
Ally McCoist's men were notable absentees at Hampden for Monday's quarter-final draw after crashing out at the hands of Dundee United at Ibrox yesterday.
Celtic's reward for overcoming Inverness is a meeting with United in the next round as they aim for a domestic clean sweep this season.
But, as far as Matthews is concerned, the demands for success at the Hoops is high regardless of whether Rangers are able to mount a challenge.
The full-back said: "When you are at a club like Celtic, there are expectations anyway.
"It doesn't matter if Rangers are in or out. The pressure is still there.
"It was there at the start of the cup and it's still there now.
"The players enjoy playing with that pressure and will be looking forward to the game."
He added: "We are just taking it one game at a time but obviously it makes the competition easier now that Rangers are out.
"There are still some good teams in there and Dundee United is going to be a tough game.
"I think if we get through this one, we've got a good chance of progressing to the final."
Goals from Gavin Gunning and Johnny Russell secured victory for United in front of an Ibrox crowd of less than 18,000.
However, Matthews is confident Celtic can prevent Peter Houston's men from claiming a second Old Firm scalp.
He said: "It's a tough draw but we're feeling confident at the moment and we just have to go into the game fully confident and I think we've got a good chance of getting the result that we need.
"The result yesterday will give them great confidence but we are on a great run just now and I'm sure we can keep it going.
"Dundee United deserved it, they played well and they are a good team.
"I'm sure when we play against them, the game will be just as tough. We are just focusing on the job ahead."
Celtic were again denied a home tie and must travel to Tannadice in the next round.
Matthews said: "It's a hard place to go to and it's quite intimidating.
"But we have been there and won this season already so we are fully confident we can go there again and get the result we need."
Monday afternoon's draw also threw up a potential clash between Motherwell, currently third in the SPL, and Aberdeen, should the sixth-placed Dons come through their replay with Irn-Bru Division One side Queen of the South.
St Mirren also face an all-SPL tie if they come through their replay against Ross County, with the winners of that tie drawn away to Hearts or St Johnstone.
Hibernian must travel to Ayr United or Falkirk, who will contest their fifth-round clash on February 15 after Saturday's tie was postponed when the Somerset Park pitch failed a morning inspection.
Ayr boss Brian Reid was reluctant to look beyond the meeting with the Bairns.
He said: "It would be a bit disrespectful to look to Hibs at the moment because we have got a tough game against Falkirk, who are going really well and who are having a good season.
"They have some good young players and some good experience so that will be a tough game on its own."
Post Comment
