Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy staying positive ahead League Cup final clash with St Mirren at Hampden

Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy is staying positive as he prepares for this weekend’s League Cup final and is confident his players will come good in time to ensure the trophy returns to Parkhead.

The Frenchman will get his first experience of Hampden in just his third game in charge when the Hoops meet St Mirren on Sunday.

The season’s first piece of silverware is on the line as Celtic look to defend the trophy they won last year with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Rangers.

However, their last Hampden final ended in tears when they lost to Aberdeen, and they go into this one on the back of two defeats in Nancy’s first two games.

However, he remains upbeat and insists the occasion alone will be enough to keep his players motivated.

He said: “It is a final, so in terms of motivation and stimulation, that will be here, no doubt.

“So, knowing that we did good things and should have done certain things, it will now be easier for the players to focus on the task regarding what we are trying to do to have a good performance.

“We are going to mix everything, put out a team with fresh players, and go to win this cup.

“A final is a final, the previous games don’t change that, obviously, the fact that we didn’t win the last two games could leave a bit of uncertainty.

“But I have had a good discussion with the players, we know what we did well and what we need to improve on, so everything is really clear and we are focused on this game.

“I stay positive and see only the good things regarding this game and what we are going to do. This is not for me, it is for the club obviously, but more so it’s for the players.

“I know where we are, and I know where we want to go and what we need to improve on.”