Celtic captain Scott Brown has credited former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers with changing the side’s mindset when playing at Hampden Park.
Celtic were unbeatable at the National Stadium under the Northern Irishman, winning all nine of their fixtures and conceding just three goals.
That was in stark contrast to previous years when the Hoops were beaten by the likes of Ross County and Inverness under Ronny Deila.
Now, on the eve of another huge match at Scotland’s home of football, Brown has paid tribute to his former boss who walked out on the club in February.
“Brendan came in and changed our mindset,” he told STV. “We didn’t have a great track record at Hampden before that but he made us realise how to change our mindset, how to improve, how to win.
“Brendan pushed us to another level. It was great man management more than anything. He made us believe in ourselves.”
Aberdeen semi victory
There were huge questions being asked of Celtic prior to the semi-final clash against Aberdeen last month. Many experts and Hoops supporters wondered if Rodgers’ departure would have a lasting effect on matches at the stadium.
Neil Lennon has enjoyed many good Mount Florida occasions but he’s also suffered a few shockers. Fans wondered if his arrival would make Celtic more vulnerable than they had been under his predecessor.
Celtic were brilliant in the Hampden sunshine as they overcame the Dons 3-0. The tension around Lennon eased off, but not completely. He and team are still under immense pressure on Saturday. Celtic have never won three Scottish Cup titles in a row and there’s a reason for that.
Immortality doesn’t come easily, it has to be earned.
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