MX23RW : Sunday, December 2 09:09:42

Rodgers believes players retain focus to ensure cup success

Rodgers believes players retain focus to ensure cup success
© Reuters
The Celtic manager hopes they can see off Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup final.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes his players' ability to focus on their performance and not the hype has been key to their cup success.

And he hopes their evident comfort in the Hampden surroundings can help them when they return to the national stadium for Sunday's Betfred Cup final against Aberdeen.

Celtic secured cup final doubles against Aberdeen and Motherwell in the past two seasons and have also scored seven goals without reply in three Hampden semi-finals against Rangers under Rodgers.

They took their Mount Florida form to BT Murrayfield last month when they beat an in-form Hearts team 3-0 in the semi-final of this competition.

Rodgers took time out of his preparations for Thursday's Europa League encounter against Rosenborg to visit Hampden on Monday afternoon for media duties and acknowledged the familiarity of his surroundings.

"Coming back here again is always a good memory for us because of the level and nature of our game," he said.

"The pitch is really good here, it's always a great atmosphere and we are hoping to take that next step and win another trophy.

"It's about keeping your humility. We respect it's a big game. Finals and semi-finals are big occasions, but you have to play the game. And for that you have got to be able to stay calm.

"And we play in lots of big games, so the players are used to that focus. Our concentration on the European game is there, but once that is done, we will be ready for the final.

"So we have come here and focused on our performance. Both teams want to win the game, of course, but we know when we play well we have a better chance of winning. So that will be our idea."

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is looking for a response from his players after a four-match winning run shuddered to a halt at Fir Park on Saturday as the Dons suffered a 3-0 defeat.

"Irrespective of the result on Saturday it was always going to be a difficult game for us," said Rodgers, who will have Tom Rogic available for the trip to Norway and possibly Scott Brown.

"I've got huge respect for Derek, even more so being up here now and seeing how he operates and how he always galvanises his team. So I think they will come into the game very focused and looking to put that performance behind them.

"I am really pleased we are coming into the game after our last seven weeks or so and the level of our performance we have gone to, because that has got us back on track again in terms of what we'd expect from the team not just in terms of results but how we play."


Click here for more stories about Brendan Rodgers

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Share this article now:
An intense-looking Brendan Rodgers in charge of Celtic on October 4, 2018
Read Next:
Rodgers defends his players' post-match celebrations
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Premier League
Championship
FA Cup
Scottish League Cup
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
Russian Premier League
Belgian Pro League
Brasileiro
Argentine Primera Division
Australian A-League
Greek Superleague
Segunda Division
2.Bundesliga
Serie B
Swiss Super League
Turkish Super Lig
Indian I-League
Ukrainian Premier League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers1383235112427
2Celtic138322642227
3St Johnstone146531416-223
4Aberdeen136431511422
5Hearts146441513222
6Kilmarnock145631410421
7Livingston145541010020
8Hibernian1346320101018
9Motherwell144461420-616
10Hamilton AcademicalHamilton154291230-1814
11St Mirren15249826-1810
12Dundee140410628-224

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account