Ally McCoist, the Rangers manager, admitted he does not want to be drawn against Celtic after reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup last night. Rangers eased past St Johnstone in a quarter-final watched by only 13,023 at Ibrox last night as Lewis Macleod's 87th minute header put them into Saturday evening's draw.
Celtic could join them if they beat Partick Thistle tonight, with Aberdeen v Hamilton and Hibs v Dundee United completing the last eight ties, but McCoist said he hoped to avoid the cup favourites. "When you get to the semis you can't really pick and choose," he said. "We all know who would be favourites to pick up the domestic trophies before the season starts. So in that respect I would probably take anyone else other than Celtic. I don't think it is rocket science to work out it would maybe give you a better chance of reaching the final, although it wouldn't guarantee it. It would be a very, very tough game. Stating the obvious, we would very much be the underdogs. But underdogs can sometimes win."
The semi-finals take place on January 31 and February 1 and if Celtic do win through and get drawn against Rangers it would be the first Old Firm game since April, 2012. Having beaten Caley Thistle in an earlier round St Johnstone became Rangers' second Premiership scalp in the League Cup this season. "I thought particularly in the first half it was pretty tough and stubborn," said McCoist. "In the second half I thought we were a lot better, the better team, and deserved to win the game. It was a goal worthy of winning any game. A great ball in from 'Airdy' [Fraser Aird] and it was a top header from wee Lewis. I've not seen that very often from him to be honest!" McCoist admitted he was concerned that goalkeeper Steve Simonsen had to be substituted and taken to hospital for checks after banging his head off a post when making a brave save. "The doc said it's hopefully more precautionary than anything else but wouldn't be qualified to give you a comment on it until he's been looked at in the hospital. Fingers crossed he will be alright."
Derek Llambias, who was appointed as a consultant yesterday and is expected to become Rangers' next chief executive, was in the stand last night but has yet to speak with McCoist. "I'm looking forward to meeting him but we have no plans so far. We are in tomorrow morning and the boys will do their cool down. I am available to meet anyone at any time but there are no plans as such."
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright felt his side should have taken the game to extra-time but had not shown enough responsibility when they made chances. "I'm disappointed because we created a few opportunities and could have taken something out of the game. Their goal? The cross came in too easily and it was a great run from a midfielder desperate to get on the end of the ball. It's the small things hurting us. Opportunities to shoot, and we pass. At times we aren't brave enough in front of goal. Our players should take more responsibility in the final third." Murray Davidson suffered concussion and was stretchered off in the first half, meaning he will miss Friday's home game against Motherwell.
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