No repeats, please

It's still possible that the green halves of both Glasgow and Edinburgh will meet in the Scottish Cup Final on 26th May. Celtic came through 2-1 winners over a spirited St. Johnstone performance on Saturday, while Hibs are still in the competition after their 0-0 draw with Dunfermline.

But that's not the only symmetry in Scottish football right now. Earlier in the season, it was Rangers and then boss Paul Le Guen who were getting it in the neck from their supporters. Now it's Gordon Strachan's turn to feel the hot breath of disappointment on his neck. While a probable league and cup double will cheer the Celtic support eventually, at the moment they are restless and spiky, and for some reason: Celtic have not been playing well recently. The title should have been wrapped up weeks ago, but because of their poor form (1 win in 5 before Saturday) the SPL goes into the split next weekend with Rangers still mathematically in with a chance.

On Saturday, too, they were far from the free-scoring, easy on the eye outfit they sometimes showed themselves to be in the autumn. Derek Riordan, after a season sitting first in the stands, then on the bench, has finally got his chance upfront, but when he was replaced by Kenny Miller near the hour mark, boos rang out around Hampden. For a team on the verge of getting to the Scottish Cup final, that was a slightly surreal response from the fans.

For all his achievements so far, Gordon Strachan has found it difficult to win a place in the hearts of the Celtic fans, and he's not been helped this season by an almost non-existent challenge from Rangers in the SPL. His team selections have frequently infuriated the support, who have wanted to see more of Riordan and Thomas Gravesen. There are rumours circling about his future at the club... at the moment they remain just that, because he seems in no mood to walk out, and the board love him for slashing the wage bill. Yet he perhaps feels entitled to a little more respect after all his achievements so far.

Across in Edinburgh, of course, it was Hearts who were the crisis club, with dressing room splits and players being emptied for questioning the regime. But clearly Hibs felt left out, and so went nuclear with a dressing room crisis of their own last week which dominated the papers and increased the pressure on John Collins especially ahead of their semi-final tie.

Ahead of the game, Collins had appeared flustered in the press conference, and flashes of anger crossed his face in interviews with the media, but he resolutely refused to answer any questions about the rumours that a delegation of players has demanded a meeting with the chairman to voice criticism of him. After the game itself, he was a little more forthcoming with the BBC's Chick Young, agreeing that it had been "a week he wouldn't want to repeat".

As for the game itself, Hibs were really, really poor in the first half, but improved in the second, without doing enough to win the game. It was the same team that won the CIS Cup Final just 3 weeks ago, but nowhere near the same intensity or movement. After a traumatic week, that perhaps is no surprise. Dunfermline had a couple of chances themselves, and defended solidly, but can't have any complaints at the result.

The real question is why on earth this game goes to a replay, instead of being settled with extra time and penalties if necessary. It's a ridiculous arrangement, and devalues the prestige of a "day out at Hampden" even more. So they'll be back here again in 10 days time.

No repeats, please, said John Collins. Couldn't agree more.