Robbie Neilson's Celtic decapitation quip was aimed at pressurising officials and he has previous - Chris Sutton

The ball was out for a throw-in and I was lingering near the touchline. A rather angry chap in the stands aimed a rather charming insult at me that I couldn’t repeat in a family newspaper.

Seconds later the guy’s son – who was about seven – repeated the very same insult and I clocked it, expecting the kid to get a bit of a telling off. But got a pat on his back from his dad instead! I haven’t forgotten that less-than-friendly welcome at Tynecastle that day and Celtic should be expecting a similarly hostile atmosphere this lunchtime.

Despite the stick, it was a place I always enjoyed going to – perhaps because I never lost. The charged up atmosphere only motivated us more and it was always one of the games you looked forward to. It was also one of the toughest. Make no mistake, this is a huge Scottish Cup tie.

And thanks to Robbie Neilson lighting the blue touch paper, there should be an extra level of spice to proceedings. I wouldn’t slaughter the Hearts manager for his comments after the game the other night. He’s entitled to his opinion and he’s obviously trying to put a bit of pressure on the match officials. Neilson’s had previous with this kind of stuff though. It seems like every time his side loses to Celtic there’s a moan about something – even correct decisions.

I remember he once complained about a goal being given when it was close to the line. Replays showed it was a mile over but Neilson claimed there was no way the officials could have known it! Good effort Robbie. His gripe the other night was similar. The Alexandro Bernabei challenge was never a red card in a month of Sundays.

Excessive force? A tickling stick would cause more damage. Callum McGrego r was on the end of a worse one at Tynecastle a