Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers is assured about how his gamers will deal
with Saturday’s historic cup remaining however insists there isn’t any vanity regardless of their current file in opposition to Rangers.
The champions need to full a double within the a hundred and fiftieth anniversary Scottish Cup remaining, when the sport pits Celtic and Rangers in opposition to one another 22 years after the final Previous Agency remaining within the competitors.
Celtic took 10 factors from Rangers of their newest title-winning marketing campaign and have solely suffered one defeat in opposition to their metropolis rivals within the earlier 11 derbies – an Ibrox league loss after final season’s title was already clinched.
Rodgers’ personal file in opposition to Rangers over two spells in cost is equally dominant – he has tasted 13 wins and only one defeat in 17 encounters.
However he won’t journey to Hampden on Saturday with the sensation that he won’t lose.
“You can never have that arrogance,” he mentioned. “It’s not how we work. We have a humility in how we work. We respect every opponent that we play, whether it’s Rangers or Raith, or whoever. We have to prepare for the game.”
Rodgers, who has a full squad to select from, added: “We come into the sport within the supreme situation, I do not assume there’s any doubt that we’ve been on hearth the previous couple of months.
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“There were lots of challenges at the beginning of the season, playing every three or four days when really important players are missing.
“However because the season has constructed up and into the stress moments, the gamers have been completely very good in how they handled that. So we arrive having gained the league in a very, actually great way, enjoying nicely, so we come into it in actual good situation.”
Rodgers spoke of his pride in how his players have dealt with pressure situations, such as their 5-0 win at Kilmarnock to clinch the title.
However, his players’ experience and impressive run of form does not mean he can relax going into Saturday’s game.
“I might say you continue to must be tremendous targeted,” he added. “There is not any assure, however what you’ll be able to perceive as a supervisor, you recognize what you’ll get. That, in stress conditions, is invaluable.
“That’s why the likes of Callum (McGregor) is a top operator, why James (Forrest) has been over so many years as well. Their trophy haul is absolutely incredible.
“I’ve an assurance of what I’ll get from them and I can put my religion in them.”
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The shortage of this fixture in Scottish Cup finals lately will add additional gasoline to the build-up, and the event itself will pit each units of supporters in opposition to one another for the primary time in a stadium this season.
Every league recreation has been performed in entrance of dwelling followers solely forward of a brand new guideline which is able to see about 5 per cent of tickets reserved for away supporters.
Rodgers is relishing the charged ambiance.
“I am really looking forward to that and to next season whenever we at least have a small percentage of supporters in the games, because it always adds,” he mentioned.
“It’s what makes this game. Even though there have been incredible atmospheres in both stadiums without supporters, the better combination is when both are there.”
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