Celtic face Aberdeen tomorrow in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final marking the second instalment of Brendan Rodgers vs Jimmy Thelin this season.
Both sides hold an identical points record in the Scottish Premiership after ten matches, with the Bhoys leading the way on a superior goal differential of 15.
Last month, Celtic and Aberdeen shared the points in a 2-2 draw at Parkhead, although the home side were unfortunate not to claim victory amid several last-ditch blocks from the visitors.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  CelticCeltic | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 3 | 26 | 28 |
| 2 |  AberdeenAberdeen | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 9 | 11 | 28 |
| 3 |  RangersRangers | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 19 |
| 4 |  MotherwellMotherwell | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 16 |
Brendan Rodgers was able to rest several of his key players in the Bhoys’ triumph over Dundee in midweek, while the Dons come into this one after defeating Rangers at Pittodrie to extend the points gap between first and third.
Despite having to put a lot into an energy-sapping affair, Thelin has given his verdict on how Aberdeen are feeling ahead of their Premier Sports Cup tie against Celtic.
Jimmy Thelin on how Aberdeen are feeling ahead of facing Celtic
Speaking to Press & Journal, Thelin detailed his Aberdeen side hold a ‘strong belief’ that they can claim a result against Celtic, which is something Rodgers and company will be determined to eradicate tomorrow evening.
He stated: “Everybody has to believe that they can do it, otherwise it’s unnecessary to play the game. We have a strong belief and will go in 100% with that, in the belief we can make it.
“It’s a cup semi-final so if you lose, you’re out, if you win, you go to the final. We know what Celtic are good at, we know their strengths, so for us it’s more about trying to be even better in our parts of the game.
“For us to have that strong belief in what we’re going to do, keep working on that and then the game is there. The focus will be on giving everything we have and producing a strong performance and then let’s see what the result is.”
Celtic ready to prove their mettle against Aberdeen
Despite all the noise that has surrounded Aberdeen this season, Celtic are the ones at the top of the table, and they will want to make that count for something in cup action.
Ultimately, Rodgers and his playing staff know they will be in for a battle tomorrow against a side bang in form, but they have walked this tightrope many times before and came out the other side victorious.
In a game where substance is allowed to trump style, Celtic will do everything they can to force their way to within 90 minutes of a first piece of silverware this season.
That is the mission for the Bhoys, who have a dressing room core filled with faces who have been over the course and prevailed.
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