Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic have deep hunger to recapture the Premier Sports Cup.
And the Parkhead boss is adamant there will be no sentiment in team selection as he hunts Hampden glory. Although winning a Premiership and Scottish Cup double last term, the champions were denied a clean sweep when losing out on the third trophy.
Defeat to Kilmarnock meant Rodgers did not get the opportunity to reclaim the first piece of silverware he won as a Celtic manager in 2016/17. Rodgers said: “It certainly gives us hunger because we missed out on it last season. Our hunger is there to reach our first final [of the season] and we have a great opportunity to get there. It was brilliant, a great feeling back then in that first time. We played ever so well in the final, so I think it gave the supporters a little bit of trust in me that I was here to win and that we could win. And, likewise this time as well. It was one that eluded us last year and that didn’t sit comfortably with us, so we have a chance now.”
Rodgers is defending a phenomenal Hampden record and continued: “It’s been a great joy to go there, but I’ve always treated it like it’s my first time. That’s been my mindset. It’s just ensuring you stay calm in your approach. It’s about that balance between being really super-aggressive when you haven’t got the ball, showing that hunger to get it and being defensively organised.
“And then play with calmness and speed when you have the ball. That’s something we have always preached.
“Leading into this semi-final, both teams have had a midweek game, so our concentration was on Dundee and then we flipped quickly onto this one. It’s been very focused. Every game is a big game. So the mantra for us this week isn’t so much different.
“When you are a Celtic player or manager, every game is huge and, obviously, a semi-final at Hampden is also a big game. I’m excited about being there and seeing half the stadium full of Celtic supporters and with either the opportunity to win a final or get to a final. It will be no different.”
With Callum McGregor, Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah returning, Rodgers has big choices to make for the clash. Cameron Carter-Vickers’ recent comeback also offers a defensive dilemma, but he said: “I’ve got a few decisions to make in terms of the team. I think all the players have value in playing.
“A lot of the guys that have been playing recently have been showing great value in how they have been playing and how they have been performing. There will be a role for them all at some point. But, of course, the sentiment doesn’t come into it. I need to pick what I feel is the best team to win this game and I will do that.
“We are in a really good place. Everyone is fit and healthy. Odin [Holm] is the only player out and he has had issues with his calves. Other than that, I’m really happy as we have managed to get through into this period in a really healthy way.”