The Co-operative Insurance Cup Third Round Draw
Thursday 2nd September 2010
Celtic’s Norwegian defender Thomas Rogne is looking to put his injury problems behind him and force his way back into the Celtic team, especially after the Parkhead side drew Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Third Round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.
Rogne said, “I am getting tired of being asked about my fitness especially as I am back in training now. It is always frustrating to be injured and there is never a good time to be out but if it was up to me I would play in a reserve game today.”
The 20 year old January signing from Stabaek has only featured in four games playing a full 90 minutes only once, however he has welcomed the signing of fellow countryman Daniel Majstorovic despite the increased competition for places at the club.
Rogne said, “Daniel is a very good experienced player and of course he speaks the same language as me so it is good to have him here. There have been many changes at the club since I joined but that is what happens at a big club like Celtic.”
With The Co-operative Cup ties scheduled to be played in three weeks time, Rogne is eyeing up a place again advising, “I do want to be known as an injured player, I want to be known as a player that plays games with Celtic and the Inverness game would be a good one to be involved in.”
Holders Rangers have been drawn at home to Dunfermline and Pars midfielder Steven Bell, who was at Hampden for the draw faces a big month in more ways than one. Bell said, “I have never played at Ibrox before so this is a first for me and I am also due to be a dad for the first time in September as well. The baby is due on September 13 so it looks like being a great time.”
Rival bosses Jim Weir and Craig Brown were in attendance as Lord McConnell of Glenscorradale pulled Brechin and Motherwell out of the hat as the final tie of the Third Round as the Glebe Park’s side’s reward for beating Dundee on penalties to progress.
Motherwell born Weir risks the wrath of family and friends if he wins saying, “My mum still lives in Airbles and I have a lot of friends who still talk about the Scottish Cup Final in 1991 so I may not be too popular if we win. We played Motherwell in a pre-season friendly and that was a hard shift so we need to put on another performance like we did against Dundee to do anything.”
Opposite number Brown is cautious about the tie saying, “This is a potential banana skin tie and one we will treat with caution. I have known Jim Weir for a long time and he is a very respected coach but we have recent knowledge of them from the pre-season game and I also know we will be playing on an immaculate pitch.”
There will be a repeat of last May’s Scottish Cup final with Ross County hosting Dundee United and Raith Rovers also have the chance to recreate cup glory as they travel to face Aberdeen in a repeat of a Scottish Cup tie from last season.
Rovers’ Stephen Simmons said, “We have won at Pittodrie before so we will travel there with confidence. We have done really well since losing our opening ALBA Cup game to Cowdenbeath and hopefully we will be travelling to Pittodrie still unbeaten from that game.”
Falkirk’s Marc Twaddle reckons that manager Steven Pressley’s previous connections with Hearts will see a bumper gate at the Falkirk Stadium when the sides meet. Twaddle said, “It was always going to be an attractive tie because of the way the seeding works, however with the manager’s connections with Hearts and our former captain Darren Barr coming back here there should be a great crowd. It will give us a taste of a SPL atmosphere again.”
Kilmarnock host Hibs with Frazer Wright advising, “We are at home and we will fancy ourselves at home against anyone.”
The remaining tie sees St Johnstone welcome Queen of the South to McDiarmid Park with former Perth striker, Derek Holmes looking to put one over his old mates saying, “I enjoyed my time at Perth and picked up a league winners medal but it is about getting Queen of the South through now.”
- Rangers v Dunfermline Athletic
- Kilmarnock v Hibs
- Aberdeen v Raith Rovers
- Falkirk v Hearts
- Celtic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
- Ross County v Dundee United
- St Johnstone v Queen of the South
- Brechin City v Motherwell
Dates for ties: Tuesday, 21 September and Wednesday, 22 September