Manager: We'll go to Hampden to enjoy it and create more Scottish Cup memories | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers enjoys going to Hampden, which is not surprising given that he has an unblemished record at the National Stadium.

And the Celtic manager is aiming for his side to continue that record this Saturday when they take on Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final (KO: 12.30pm).

A win would put the Hoops a step closer to retaining the trophy, while for the Irishman, it would also continue his 100 per cent record in the competition which currently stands at 15 wins out of 15.

The focus for the Celtic squad this week, who welcome Liam Scales back into the fold after he missed out last week through injury, has been on preparing for the cup-tie, and Brendan Rodgers knows it will be a tough test, regardless of Aberdeen’s current league position.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash at Hampden, the Celtic manager said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve had to wait a long time to get back to Hampden this time.

“The Scottish Cup is a competition that is very rich in its history, and especially for a club like Celtic, having won it 41 times.

“The memories created in this competition over the years are iconic for the club, so for us to be able to take that step with another opportunity to win it, I’m really looking forward to it.

“Our training has been great this week and everyone’s on the same page. We’ve got players back and available, the quality and speed in the training has been absolutely superb.

"That’s something I found here in my first time and I feel it again this time.

“We go there and we respect Aberdeen. It’s not been a great season for them in terms of the league and changes of manager, but any semi-final is always a tough game, but we’re ready for it.

We have to expect a tough game and any team that gets to the semi-final is there with an opportunity to get to a final. So I envisage Peter (Leven) and his team will look to take the opportunity.

“For us, the focus is on ourselves and looking at our own performance and I’m very much focusing in on that, nothing else really, other than preparing for this game.”

Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed many special moments at Hampden, with the 2017 Scottish Cup final triumph over Aberdeen up there amongst the best.

On that day, goals from Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic gave the Hoops a 2-1, a cup triumph that secured the club’s first domestic treble in 16 years, and also ensured that the team went through the season as Invincibles.

“Hampden is such a special place and we never forget that,” he said.

“It was obviously a nerve-wracking final. We didn’t get off to a great start but then we came back into the game, and it ebbed and flowed.

“But as it went on, that final half-hour we looked like we would be the ones who were going to score, we kept pushing and obviously Derek’s team kept fighting and held us out.

“The game and the occasion will create the atmosphere, and every time I’ve been there I’ve loved the atmosphere and it has always been a great occasion.

“Now, you may say that when you win and it does help but I’ve always felt that they’re great occasions and they are occasions to enjoy.”

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Aberdeen Vs. Celtic - Sat, Apr 20th 2024, 12:30 Final score: 3 - 3 Match Report