GETTING AFFAIRS IN ORDER

It wasn't a bed of roses but Rodgers men keep cool to book last-eight date

THE Brendan Rodgers Scottish Cup love affair continues - but there wasn't anything romantic about Paisley with Valentine's Day around the corner.

This wasn't an afternoon for whispering sweet nothings. St Mirren made it an absolute battle and the Hoops had to roll the sleeves up so far to get the job done it looked like they were wearing vests by the end.

They could have done with hard hats as well as Rodgers made it 14 wins out of 14 in this competition.

Even the VAR screen got bashed up at one point.

Defeat was tough on Saints, who threw the kitchen sink at Celts.

Yet there was also something to admire about this Hoops display. On a bumpy pitch against a team running through walls, Rodgers' men proved they had the steel to hold firm and keep Hampden in their sights.

At times the Buddies didn't half batter them with countless cross balls and corner kicks.

But each time they lobbed the ball into Celtic's box, Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales hurled themselves in the way.

Any time it was beyond them, Joe Hart was there to fist away so many times until he wore out the knuckles on his gloves.

Celts needed other scrappers such as Anthony Ralston and Callum McGregor, to cope with an impressive, fearless Saints charge led by Alex Gogic who looked like he had a couple of clones out there.

Rodgers always wants his sides to play silky football but with the pressure severely on right now, he'll be every bit as chuffed with the resilience shown.

And all of a sudden, it's eight wins in one games, with another draw.