Robertson wary of Caledonian living on past glories

The Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson fears his side could become the victims of their own success when they take on Dunfermline for a place in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final today.

The Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager John Robertson fears his side could become the victims of their own success when they take on Dunfermline for a place in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final today.

Their record in the competition over the last four years has been astounding for a First Division side and they have managed to book their place in the semi-finals for the second year running. The Highland side first earned their "giant-killers" tag when they beat Celtic at Parkhead in February 2000 during John Barnes' ill-fated reign.

But last year's victory over the Hoops was arguably more impressive, coming days after Martin O'Neill's side had sent Liverpool out of the Uefa Cup en route to the final.

Robertson said he no longer held the weapon of surprise but was keen to convince point out that past glories meant little.

"We are the underdogs but there is no surprise anymore when Caley play the SPL teams because they know it's going to be a tough game," he said. "Past encounters count for nothing and there is always reason to fear teams like Dunfermline. They are the overwhelming favourites to win the game - and quite rightly so."

O'Neill said he would send a strong team out against Livingston in Celtic's semi-final despite their gruelling schedule.

The in-form midfielder Alan Thompson looks set to play at Hampden Park before sitting out of next week's Uefa Cup quarter-final return leg in Villarreal through suspension. A number of players are pushing for first-team starts including Joos Valgaeren (hamstring) and Liam Miller (back).

The Livingston captain Stuart Lovell believes Celtic are still capable of a major slip-up, pointing to the example of fellow Australian, Ian Thorpe, who demonstrated his fallibility during the swimming trials for the Athens Games when he was disqualified in his 400m freestyle heat.

"If Celtic were an individual sportsman then you would think of them being like Ian Thorpe in swimming, someone who is quite a way ahead of their peers because Celtic are miles ahead of anyone in Scotland right now," Lovell said. "But the beauty of the sport is that favourites don't always win."