Brendan Rodgers wants cup win as something to show for Celtic’s start to season

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.

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 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.”