Dons draw Hearts An Old Firm tangle again

By KEN GALLACHER: Chief football writer

13 Mar 1996

THE dramatic premier division shoot-out between the Old Firm took a new twist last night as the Glasgow giants were drawn together in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

Already, Rangers and Celtic clash in what many think will be a title decider at Ibrox this weekend - on St Patrick's Day.

Now they will also meet in a live televised match at Hampden on Sunday, April 7 - timed for 4.0 on Sky.

The major prizes which must be decided in the remaining weeks of the season are up for grabs - and the verdicts in the two matches involving the Glasgow rivals may decide just where they land.

A cup final place.

A league title.

A double, or nothing? Last night's draw also paired Aberdeen with Hearts in a match which will take place at Hampden just 24 hours before the Old Firm game on the Sunday.

Both ties are certain to be sellouts to allow Hampden a final flourish before the builders move in.

Last night, Celtic manager Tommy Burns said: "We lost to Rangers in the Coca-Cola Cup this season, but that was six months ago.

It has no bearing on what will happen in the Scottish Cup.

"Obviously it will be a difficult game, but it will be just as difficult for them.

"We know what is at stake.

After all, we won the cup last year, and we want to keep it." At Ibrox, manager Walter Smith said: "It is amazing how often the Old Firm are now drawn together in important competitions.

"The game this weekend has some added significance, and now we will be playing each other for a sixth time this season in this semi-final.

"It just shows you the kind of pressures that the two clubs have to face." Of the first semi-final Aberdeen manager Roy Aitken said: "The game is going to be just as difficult as our others against Hearts this season.

But we have already won a cup this year, and that will be in our minds as we go into this match.

"The great thing is that we are in there yet again, still looking for a second trophy this season." And Hearts, whose fans believe that this may, indeed, be their year to win that so-elusive trophy, harbour thoughts that they will return to Hampden for the Scottish Cup final in May.

Manager Jim Jefferies said last night: "Aberdeen may have beaten us twice this season, but we are not afraid of them.

There is still a positive feeling about the lads.

The draw is fine for us." The Aberdeen-Hearts game will have a 3pm kick-off on the Saturday.

ABERDEEN v HEARTS (at Hampden, Saturday April 6, kick-off 3.0) CELTIC v RANGERS (at Hampden, Sunday April 7, kick-off 4.0) Live on Sky Television

Taken from the Herald