Caldwell hails new Celts

GARY CALDWELL has credited Celtic’s new signings as the inspiration behind the team’s strongest performance in months, even though most of them failed to even kick a ball.

Celtic cruised to a 5-1 victory at Kilmarnock on Saturday to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup, with on-loan Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras marking his debut with a goal.

However, there was no sign of new recruits Koki Mizuno, Ben Hutchinson or cup-tied Barry Robson in the squad as the holders ran riot at Rugby Park.

But Caldwell believes just knowing there is even more competition for places means those already in the team have upped their game to ensure they stay there.

“From start to finish we controlled the game and created a lot of chances,” said the Scotland defender. “We could have scored more than five and it is as good as we have been for a long time. I think it shows that the players who have come in have improved us without even playing.”

Scott McDonald netted a double and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Caldwell were also on the scoresheet, but it was the sight of Samaras completing the rout which really set Hoops fans’ pulses racing.

Caldwell said: “He has settled in quite well. He has only been in training for a couple of days and has shown he has great feet and great composure in front of goal. I’m sure he will do well for us.”

Rangers, meanwhile, are facing further fixture congestion after the Scottish Football Association refused to allow their Scottish Cup replay against Hibernian to take place this coming Wednesday because several players have international commitments.

The Premier League leaders were held to a goalless draw at Easter Road yesterday and manager Walter Smith wanted the replay to go ahead this midweek, insisting it is the only free slot for several weeks because of his side’s participation in the UEFA Cup this month and a backlog of other matches.

The SFA have confirmed it will offer to step in to host Euro 2012 if UEFA take the tournament away from Poland and Ukraine due to “political instability” in the countries.

Quarter-final draw: Queen of the South v Motherwell or Dundee; Ross County or St Johnstone v St Mirren or Dundee Utd; Hibernian or Rangers v Livingston or Partick Thistle; Aberdeen v Celtic. Matches to be played on weekend of March 8-9.