Manager: We played with authority to reach the cup final

In partnership with

Celtic F.C.

·2 November 2024

Manager: We played with authority to reach the cup final

With all eyes on Hampden for this evening’s Scottish League Cup semi-final, a rampant Celtic side delivered a comprehensive statement win against an Aberdeen side who tasted defeat for the first time this season.

The Celts were in ruthless form as they booked their spot in the League Cup final with a 6-0 win over Jimmy Thelin’s Dons side, much to the delight of Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers.

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Speaking to Celtic TV after an unforgettable night under the Hampden lights for the Celtic faithful, Brendan reflected on an excellent performance from his side.

“Before the game starts, there’s four teams this weekend with the chance to get to the final and win the cup,” he said. “But first you’ve got to get there and I thought the performance of the players was really good.

“In the second half we were much more aggressive in the game.

‘We were clinical in our finishing and we played with real authority. I’m so pleased for the players.’

“The goals were great and it’s a great day for the team and the supporters.

“We need to recover now and we’re really excited for Tuesday.”

Brendan’s Celtic record at Hampden Park makes for quite incredible reading, with the manager having now won on all 12 occasions that he has taken charge at the national stadium, racking up an aggregate scoreline of 31-6 in favour of the Celts.

Speaking about the preparations for any visit to Hampden, Brendan revealed that his message to his side before tonight’s big occasion was that their destiny lay in their own hands: “I said to the players, there’s two things that are factual before the game.

“Firstly, it’s going to be a brilliant atmosphere, because it’s the two best teams in the country at this moment in time playing.

“The second fact was that it’s kicking off at 5.30pm in the dark. Everything else after that, we decide.

“We decide how we play, how we work, how we run, the quality of our play. And the players did that.

“It’s just preparing like it’s always your first time here. Obviously, we have an obligation to fight for trophies and we give ourselves a chance here in mid-December now.”

Looking ahead to December’s League Cup final, Brendan added: “There are a lot of very important games before that but the objective was to get to the final and we did that.

“I’m really pleased for the players and what they put in to the game and they got their rewards.”