Scottish Soccer: Celtic determined not to add to 2002 shocks

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill will guard against a Scottish Cup upset after watching several top English sides exit the FA Cup.

Sunderland and Derby were dumped out of the English competition by West Brom and Bristol Rovers respectively but the biggest shock was Premiership leaders Leeds’ defeat at Second Division Cardiff.

Celtic have already been the victims of a huge Scottish Cup upset following their now legendary defeat against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Parkhead.

That was, of course, before O’Neill took over the Hoops hotseat and he has the task of guiding Celtic through their third-round tie against Second Division Alloa to win a trip to Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park in the next round.

O’Neill does not relish that challenge any more than David O’Leary fancied a trip to Wales.

He said: ‘‘That was a very difficult match and I don’t think any Premiership side likes to travel away to a side they are expected to beat.

‘‘I don’t think we are any different. They tell me there are no shocks here but Inverness Caley was a pretty sizeable shock.

‘‘That’s why we want to go in and give Alloa exactly the same merit that we gave to Stranraer last year because on the day it can happen.

‘‘The players all know not to treat the game in any other manner than to have respect for the opposition.’’

O’Neill has no fresh injury worries but will make changes to the side.

Several fringe players could be given their chance to impress, and O’Neill expects them to play to their full potential against Terry Christie’s side.

However, a star show at Brockville - the tie having been switched from Recreation Park to Falkirk’s ground - will not necessarily guarantee anyone a place in the top team once they are back to league business.

O’Neill added: ‘‘The players won’t take it lightly at all. Jackie McNamara made reference to the fact last week that players coming in know they have to battle. The pressure is on to perform.

‘‘It’s difficult for a number of players here. Stevie Guppy, for instance, hasn’t done anything wrong at all in the games.

‘‘We played Dunfermline a couple of days after we played Valencia so we changed the side around and Stevie came in and played really well then found himself out again.

‘‘That’s the difficulty for the players. Far from worrying about being scapegoats I would think that the players would want to be pretty pleased about their performances.

‘‘And I’m sure they’ll be disappointed at being left out again.’’