Celtic progressed to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup on Sunday after a 2-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday.
The win keeps Brendan Rodgers‘ hopes of winning a double alive and after the draw paired up the Hoops with David Martindale‘s Livingston at Celtic Park, hopes will be high that the Hoops will book their place at Hampden for the last four of the competition.
Whilst no one at Celtic or within the support will take a win for granted, Rodgers must be confident of getting a win against a team that looks like they are set to be relegated this season.
The Celtic fans will be happy enough with the draw but the Livingston boss has a completely different feeling after he shared how he felt immediately after the draw was made.
Martindale said [Daily Record print edition page 48], “Yes, we have a chance, it’s cup football. We’ll go there with every intention of getting through.
“But realistically it would have been nice to get a home tie, which would have given us a better chance. Then once you get to Hampden you get the financial rewards from getting there.
“But when the draw was made the chairman John Ward was messaging, saying: ‘Great draw!’
“I was thinking: ‘I’m not so sure!’
“It’s probably the best draw for the club but not for the players, staff or supporters.”
Celtic have a 100% win record against Livingston in cup football. In two meetings in the League Cup, the Hoops ran out 2-0 victors in 2001 and 4-0 in 2008.
In the Scottish Cup, the teams have met just once back in 2004. Celtic booked their place in the final after a 4-0 win in a 2004 semi-final at Hampden. [Transfermarkt]
Like I said, no one at Celtic will take the game against Livingston for granted and Rodgers will do his utmost to prepare his team to continue his remarkable unbeaten Scottish Cup record.
In other news, The latest on Liel Abada after Celtic winger was dropped from Scottish Cup squad
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