Celtic travel to Hampden this weekend with a domestic double in touching distance if they can see off Rangers at Hampden.
The Scottish Cup final has always been a special occasion for everyone connected with the club, and it will be even more memorable this time around, given it coincides with the 57th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions famously winning the European Cup.
Excitingly, North Curve Celtic have announced plans for fans attending the game to participate in a corteo before the action gets underway, in a similar manner to the one seen last year ahead of Ange Postecoglou’s side completing the treble against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Brendan Rodgers’ men have lost just one of their last 24 domestic matches and come into the showpiece with a clean bill of health, barring defender Stephen Welsh, who was withdrawn from the Hoops’ 3-2 victory over St Mirren last weekend.
Team news will become clearer once the Irishman conducts his press conference later this week, though he has already shed light on one factor that could benefit his side at the national stadium.
Brendan Rodgers on what Celtic can take into Scottish Cup final
One-off occasions are a battle of wits on the day; however, Rodgers has yet to lose against Rangers since returning to Parkhead, going an entire league season unbeaten against Philippe Clement’s outfit, which should bode well.
Nevertheless, cited by BBC Sport, the Irishman has referenced the Hoops’ recent momentum as something that can be a launchpad for Scottish Cup glory, with his team still in a ‘flow’ after only clinching the title last Wednesday.
He explained: “It’s very important to have that momentum. We won the title on Wednesday and that allowed us to follow it through where the emotion was still there. Maybe in previous seasons we have won it from a bit out and then you have to control the mentality of the team to arrive in that final in a good place.
“This time we are in flow and we are getting better. That will serve well. I made changes because it’s a big game next Saturday and you just never know what might happen in midweek. I wanted to get as many players in the best condition possible.”
Celtic have to arrive into this one all guns blazing, as Rangers will be desperate to avoid the embarrassment of going an entire season without defeating their closest rivals.
More importantly, silverware is in the DNA of this club, and the opportunity to bring another trophy home should provide more than enough motivation to the players, who have already proven they have what it takes to be successful.
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