Tennents Scottish Cup Fourth Round
Sunday 7th February 2005
East End Park
Kick Off 12:00, Live On Sky Sports
With all the excitement surrounding the signings of Craig Bellamy and Stephane Henchoz, as well as Bobo Balde's contract extension, the Celtic end of East End Park is a sell out tomorrow. Apparently, Celtic were refused extra tickets for the game due to a police objection.
I see the fans snapping up tickets for tomorrow as a thank you to the board and Martin O'Neill, for doing well in the January transfer window. Okay, we haven't spent any money on transfer fees but we have spent what appears to be a bomb in wages.
Some fans may feel disappointed in yesterday's news that Martin O'Neill will opt not to play Craig Bellamy on Dunfermline's shitey plastic pitch. Bellamy has had previous trouble with his knee and won't be risked for the game.
I doubt Stephane Henchoz will play either, as he is not yet fully match fit. It wouldn't surprise me if we lined up with the same team who started against Kilmarnock last week.
Dunfermline, of course, were our opponents in last season's Scottish Cup Final, and were 1-0 up at half time. This season though, they are a changed outfit and Davie Hay seems to be getting them nowhere since the departure of Jimmy Calderwood.
Even without Bellamy we should be able to take care of Dunfermline tomorrow. A team that had to replay East Fife to get here shouldn't be on the same park as players like Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Stan Petrov, and we should be comfortable winners tomorrow.
The game kicks off at the awkward time of 12 noon. So it's an early rise for most Bhoys heading to Fife. Let's hope we're all repayed with a ticket for the Quarter Final.
Come On The Hoops!
Prediction: Dunfermline 1-3 Celtic