Dec 15,2024
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is looking for tangible proof of their impressive start to the season when they take on Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup final on Sunday.
Rodgers' side have only lost once in 24 games this season, sit nine points clear in the William Hill Premiership and are well-placed to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase play-offs.
Their unbeaten domestic record stretches back 30 matches but the League Cup trophy is the one domestic cup which has not been in their cabinet over the past 12 months.
Rangers are the holders and have the chance to build on recent improvements by winning the second cup of Philippe Clement’s reign.
Rodgers said: "Well, we don’t have it, so that is something that we didn’t take last season, and clearly it’s the first trophy of the season. We’ve had a brilliant season up until now, and this would be a great way to have something tangible to show for that.
"But you have to earn it, and that’s what we’re ready for."
Clement came under major pressure after drifting 11 points behind Celtic in the league but there have been clear signs of improvement in recent weeks and their impressive Europa League campaign continued on Thursday with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham.
"I watched the game (on Thursday) night, and I thought they did very well in the game," Rodgers said. "I thought it was a really good game to watch.
"But, yes, it’s always about dealing with expectation in these games, and how you can bring the level that you want to within the game.
"So, I think for Rangers, they’ll want to bring the level that they’ve been at over these last three or four games. For us, it’s about that consistency, which we’ve shown right the way through from our pre-season. We want to continue with that.
"But we don’t expect us to ever turn up and just think it’s a formality. It’s definitely not. Irrespective of the form, no matter what the form is going into a final, it’s a one-off game.
"But, two teams will feel happy, I’m sure. They’re in a good mood to go and play the game, and yes, I’m excited by it."
Rodgers has some big decisions to make on his starting line-up, with only the cup-tied Luke McCowan expected to miss out on the squad.
But, given substitutes Paulo Bernardo and Ireland striker Adam Idah combined to net the only goal against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final in May, the Celtic manager stressed it would be a collective effort.
"What’s key, and I think what I love about the collective here, in terms of how we work, is that the guys put aside any disappointment," he said.
"I know, as a manager, everyone will feel they want to start in a final, they want to walk out. But that isn’t always what will win you it.
"It will be the guys that will make the impact coming off the bench. That’s what we’ve been reliant on, in our form and in our work up until this point. Sunday will be no different."
Clement has not managed a victory over the Hoops in five attempts since taking over the Ibrox hot seat in October of last year.
The most recent Old Firm game ended up in a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park in September. However, the Belgian boss pointed to the changes in his side since he took over as he assessed the final against Celtic.
He said: "You speak about a lot of games in the last, let’s say year, with a lot of different players that we played.
"So I’m not thinking about the past. I’m thinking about the next game, because the past is the past.
"You can speak also about all these (Rangers) teams who won the League Cup and you see it’s 28 times, but it will not change anything, because every time it is with another squad or other managers or whatever. So it’s about this game with these players.
"The key on Sunday is to score, to be efficient, to defend really well. Celtic is a team who’s really good on the ball, with a lot of quality players. We know, they showed that in the league, they showed in Europe.
"So we need to play a very mature game, well organised, but we need to play our football also and create our chances like we have done in last couple of weeks."
"It will happen, but I'm not busy with that"
Clement stressed that his wait for a win against Celtic is not at the forefront of his mind.
"So it will happen, but I’m not busy with that. For me, to be a successful Rangers manager will be that the club is successful and the squad is successful, so you need to win this game.
"But it’s not about me. It’s not my personal goal or anything. I don’t win the game. I’m not on the pitch. I can guide them to what to do on the pitch. That’s my job. It’s not about me, it’s about the club. It’s about the players. It’s never been about me in this job.
"About winning trophies. 200 per cent. About winning games. 200%.
"So that’s what I want against every opponent, to do everything to win games and to do that together with the squad."
Clement will make a late call on Scotland defender John Souttar, who had to be replaced by Leon Balogun in the first half against Spurs.
If Souttar fails to make it, Clement would have no real option but to play Balogun and Robin Propper in central defence against the Hoops.
He will be able to call upon the services of Brazil striker Danilo and Romania international Ianis Hagi, who are not in the Govan club’s European squad.
Rabbi Matondo is in full training, while Tom Lawrence is working his way back to fitness and Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) remains sidelined.
Clement will also run the rule over striker Hamza Igamane who scored against Spurs before he was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.
