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Johnston and Kyogo will be fit and firing

By Graeme Croser

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has backed Kyogo Furuhashi and Alistair Johnston to play in next weekend’s Scottish Cup final after hobbling off during the rout of Aberdeen.

A first-half double had seen Kyogo take his season’s goal tally to 33 before he was hurt in a collision with Aberdeen keeper Kelle Roos.

Full-back Johnston, absent since the title-clinching win at Tynecastle earlier this month, lasted just over an hour before pulling up.

Referencing Kyogo’s return from injury to sink Hibs in last season’s League Cup final, Postecoglou backed his star striker to recover for next week’s showdown with Inverness. He said: ‘It’s too early to tell but I don’t think it’s anything serious. He has done a cup final on one leg before, so unless both his legs are out, I reckon there’s a chance.

‘Ally felt it lock up but watching them jump around the dressing room they seem like they’ll be okay.’

As Postecoglou celebrated, Barry Robson fired a warning shot to his Aberdeen players.

Confirmed the Premiership’s third-place finishers in midweek after a remarkable run under their new manager, the Dons were trounced by Celtic.

While willing to make allowances for the efforts his players made in their move up the table, Robson insisted that he will not tolerate a similar level of performance when they return for a new campaign.

He said: ‘I am angry. It was a game too far for us today. But I’ll not accept that.’

Aberdeen must now wait for the outcome of next weekend’s Scottish Cup final to learn at what stage they will enter European competition. If Celtic beat Inverness the Dons will be guaranteed group-stage football and a shot at the Europa League.

Football

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2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

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