Anyone foolish enough to glance at one of the Celtic forums this week was given an alarming insight into their mentality. They want to hammer us – not to see their own team win especially but to punish us for being part of the 'other side'. This seems downright bizarre until you realise it is the only thing which validates their support of their club. If you are not on a quest, what is the point of cheering on an obscenely rich side which can spend millions against paupers? At best your victory is hollow and at worst your loss is a humiliation.
Regardless of the final score at 4.45pm on Saturday, Motherwell will not have been humiliated. The fans should be tremendously proud of the squad for their achievement and praise should also be given to Stuart McCall. In January a slow slump down the table seemed inevitable but instead a place in the top six and a triumphant march to Hampden lifted the spirits of everyone after the seemingly fatal loss of Craig Brown.
There is also a sense building that this is simply going to be our day; that 20 years is a wait long enough for another trophy. It is impossible to imagine any provincial club going into a match such as this without believing a miracle is possible regardless of the odds stacked against them though so only time will tell if there really is something in the air or if the hope was false.
Celtic are without Kayal and Ledley from the middle of the park and Stokes seems to have fallen out of favour. Their side will certainly possess the currently sensational Commons, among other threats, and demands respect even if they lost out in the title race.
Our one minor concern is over Maurice Ross who will compete with Saunders to play at right back. Hateley will surely be used as a third midfielder with Jennings and Lasley while Humphrey, Murphy and Sutton will be relied upon to pose problems for the opposing defence.
Celtic have a habit of bottling big games under Neil Lennon and even as strong favourites, their need to win his first silverware as a manager will weigh heavily on their shoulders. We have made several blitz starts in big games this campaign – Aalesund, Celtic, Dundee United and St Johnstone spring to mind – and the early tussles will be crucial in determining the outcome of the contest. If we can make a good start, there is no reason we cannot make the improbable at least possible - and, somehow, a 2-1 win may not be beyond us.
