O’Ware: Cup draw is opportunity for redemption
Thomas O’Ware felt Morton failed to do themselves justice the last time they faced Celtic at Parkhead but believes Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final draw has handed them an opportunity for redemption.
The 24-year-old played the full 90 minutes when the clubs met in the last eight of the competition two years ago and lost 3-0 due to first-half goals from Leigh Griffiths, Gary Mackay-Steven, and Callum McGregor.
But defender O’Ware is eager to pit his wits against the cup holders again and feels it is an opportunity for he and the team-mates who turned out that day to give a better account of themselves on the big stage.
Speaking exclusively to gmfc.net, he said: “It’s always good getting Celtic. It’s a big tie for the club and a day out for the fans, but we’d have probably preferred it at home.
“We’ve played Celtic away and playing them at Cappielow isn’t something I’ve experienced in my time at the club, so that would have been nice. But it’s big game, so hopefully we can put a performance in.
“When we played them last time, on a personal note, I let myself down. I didn’t play the way I know I can play, and I think a few of the boys would say they felt the same way about themselves.
“I made a mistake I hope I never make again – a basic one – and it’s not something I do often, so maybe the occasion did get to us.
“The first half we were nowhere near good enough and nowhere near the standards we had performed throughout that season.
“So, it’s a chance to make things right, put a better performance in. The perfect way to sum it up is that it gives us a chance to give a better account of ourselves and see where it takes us.
“But it’s going to be hard; nobody is going to give us a chance. Celtic are the best team in the country by a mile and we’ll need to be at our very best and hope that they have an off day to get anything out of the game.”
The tie is still a month away, though, and attention turns back to league duty with an away fixture against Queen of the South, and O’Ware hopes Ton can maintain the form that has seen them chalk up four wins on the trot.
He added: “We got a great three points when we were down there at the beginning of the season. That feels like ages ago, but we’ve got four wins in our last four now.
“We’ve changed it a wee bit in the last four games. Wee Tiff [Scott Tiffoney] has gone up front and made a massive difference to us, giving us that energy and youthfulness.
“And I think Frank Ross is different class. He’s came in, been in the team for the four games and taken his chance. He’s been superb and has a big future ahead of him.
“We’re level on points with Dunfermline who’re in fourth place just now and one ahead of Queens, so hopefully if we can win on Saturday, and with a game in hand, then it would put some daylight between us.
“But, equally, they’ll be wanting to get a win to climb above us. So, we’re going to need to be at it, especially with players like [Stephen] Dobbie on form.
“We have just got to keep doing what we’re doing, not take anything for granted, and try and do our best to get three points.”
Image: David Bell
