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Derek McInnes admits 'nervous' Celtic penalty wait after Sead Haksabanovic tumble as he reveals key to cup shock

The Rugby Park boss was left sweating as the Montenegrin international went tumbling late on.

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes shakes hands with Referee Alan Muir
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes shakes hands with Referee Alan Muir(Image: SNS Group)

Delighted Derek McInnes insists Kilmarnock can dare to dream of Viaplay Cup glory after dumping holders Celtic.

The Rugby Park boss hailed his team for showing the belief to back up their opening Premiership victory over Rangers as they took on Brendan Rodgers ’ men. Killie showed huge courage as they took on Celtic at their own game, pressing high and attacking with pace. And they got a deserved reward as Marley Watkins’ second-half strike booked their place in the quarter-finals.


McInnes' side have now landed a home tie against Hearts next month and he now wants them to believe they can go all the way. He revealed: “We said before the game that someone has to win it. Two things we said before a ball had rolled was that [we must show] real belief that we can win the Cup, the same belief that I had, and the second part of it was to treat the game as a cup final. We don't get a trophy for winning today but we had to treat it like a cup final. We couldn't think it was four big performances to win it.


READ MORE: Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 0 LIVE reaction a Marley Watkins sends holders crashing out with famous Rugby Park winnerREAD MORE: Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic woe at Kilmarnock is the pitch and NOTHING else as he seeks transfer 'quality'

"But now that we have beaten Celtic, we have to take the confidence from it. We are at home to Hearts which is a tough game. Hearts will be another team who will have aspiration to win the trophy.

“There is a demand on that club but we want to put a demand on ourselves to go one better than last season, and get into the final. I have enjoyed the day, the team will take a lot of confidence from it but there is no point in winning today if we don't go and win it today. No one will really remember that in years to come unless we go and win it."

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Watkins tucked home at the back post from Danny Armstrong’s cross 20 minutes into the second half. But Killie rode their luck as referee Alan Muir added seven minutes of stoppage time.

The Celtic support behind Killie keeper Will Dennis’ goal thought their side deserved a penalty as Sead Haksabanovic went down under a challenge from Lewis Mayo but neither Muir nor VAR opted to intervene. McInnes admitted his side might have got lucky, saying: "I have not seen it again and you are always nervous when it goes to VAR.

“I thought one or two of them went down a little easily, I need to say that but I haven't seen that one (with Haksabanovic) again. But every time the fourth official tells you they are checking it, you are always nervous but if we got a bit of benefit from that, then swings and roundabouts."

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