Celtic

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Paulo Bernardo is wary of Rangers' improved form and insists Celtic's recent derby dominance will count for nothing on Sunday.

Celtic eased to a 3-0 league victory in this season's sole previous meeting and their only defeat in 13 against Rangers came when the 2022-23 title had already been secured.

As he looked ahead to Sunday's League Cup final at Hampden, Portuguese midfielder Bernardo said: "We were dominating these games before but it's another one. I think they are better now so it will be very difficult for us.

"It will be very difficult for them. I think it will be a very good football game to watch and to play, but it's our mentality. Every game is a game.

"They are in a good moment right now. So are we. So we need to do our best and play our game.

"That's in the past. We can only focus on the present and be in this game. The past is the past."

Bernardo made a big impact in Celtic's Scottish Cup final win over Rangers in May, driving forward and striking a swerving shot that led to Adam Idah hitting a late winner on the rebound.

The Portugal Under-21 international hopes to feature on Sunday after an impressive start to the season.

"Everyone wants to play finals and enjoy the moment," he said.

"I did last time, we won and enjoyed it a lot. Last season I won two titles, the first in my career, so it was a lot of good memories. We want to do the same."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Brendan Rodgers insists Rangers' limited recovery time is not an advantage for Celtic in Sunday's League Cup final.

Philippe Clement's side drew 1-1 with Tottenham in Thursday night's Europa League game at Ibrox, while Celtic played out a Champions League stalemate at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

"We've played with very limited time to recover ourselves and played very good games so it doesn't really come into it," Celtic boss Rodgers said.

"We've had an extra couple of days but it's a final and every team arrives in the final."

Rodgers has lost just one of 19 derby meetings with Rangers, winning 15, across his two spells at the Celtic helm.

"I know what it means to people, this game, and we have a number of these [derby] games throughout the season," he added.

"You never get tired or bored of them. It's such an iconic fixture throughout the world so to have the possibility to have so many in the season is amazing.

"This is what we're built for, the tougher the challenge, that's what we relish.

"It's not any other game, it's an iconic game for everyone to be involved in.

"That's not lost on me but from a coaching perspective it's about what allows us to perform and for us that's to stay calm, look at our tactics in the game and how we pitch that to the players so they can go and play."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Sunday's League Cup final against Rangers.

Here are the main points:

• The squad is healthy, Rodgers expects Alistair Johnston to be okay and is hoping everyone will be fit and available for the weekend.

• He knows Sunday's final is a "special" occasion but stresses that for Celtic it's "the next game and the next game we want to win".

• The Celtic manager thinks picking up the first trophy of the season would be "a great way to have something tangible" to show for their impressive start.

• After an early League Cup exit last term, Rodgers' side are "very hungry" to lift the trophy on Sunday.

• On potentially picking up his 10th trophy as Celtic manager, Rodgers says the silverware tally "doesn't count for much", adding: "Just because you've won doesn't mean you can turn up and not prepare".

• On Philippe Clement saying Celtic are financially in a different league to Rangers, Rodgers says: "This is a club that's been organically grown, we haven't been handed money. The club is in a brilliant position but it's all been earned."

• On Rangers' limited recovery time before Sunday, the Northern Irishman insists Celtic have been in the same position before and played "very good games". He adds that "every team arrives in the final" no matter how much time they've had to prepare.

• On the chance to overtake Rangers' trophy total of 118, Rodgers says that doesn't come into his thinking and he's just focused on winning as much silverware as they can.

• "It's not like any other game", Rodgers knows how important Sunday's cup final is to supporters and understands the "iconic" nature of a Celtic v Rangers match - "this is what we're built for, the tougher the challenge that's what we relish."

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Alistair Johnston has declared himself fit for the League Cup final after being forced off with a hip flexor injury in the midweek Champions League draw at Dinamo Zagreb.

The Canada right-back was not pictured during Celtic's training session on Friday morning, but was out on the pitch later and felt fit enough to prepare for Sunday's clash with Rangers.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said: "The squad is healthy. We expect Ali to be OK. He was out on the pitches this afternoon so it should be, hopefully, everyone fit and available.

"It was just an extra bit of recovery for him, really. Naturally, he's been an outstanding player for us over the course of his time here and in particular this season, he's been instrumental in our work.

"Speaking to him earlier out on the pitch, he was fine, so we expect him to be OK."

Former Celtic midfielder Barry Robson says midfield will be the key battleground in Sunday's League Cup final against Rangers.

For more cup final build-up, listen to the BBC's Scottish football podcast

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Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel says the squad must leave the emotion of the League Cup final on Sunday to the fans and play with "precision" as they look to lift the first trophy of the season.

Currently unbeaten in domestic action this season, Brendan Rodgers' side head into the final after a 0-0 draw in the Champions League away to Dinamo Zagreb, and Schmeichel wants them to play with similar defensive ruthlessness.

The 38-year-old said: "In these types of games it's important for us as players to take the emotion out of the game, to play the game not the occasion.

"Play it with precision and make sure we hit the standards that we've set and we keep being ambitious and keep pushing forward.

"I think when you join a club like Celtic, the size of the club, everywhere you go, you could see on Tuesday night [in Zagreb] how many fans that travel, that's not normal.

"I've played in a lot of clubs, that's not normal that you have that amount of support everywhere you go."

The Denmark international is aiming to win his first Celtic silverware since arriving n the summer.

He says the expectancy of fans, coupled with the club's history, makes it abundantly clear to the players what is expected of them.

"I think the standards are set, at a club like Celtic, you walk in the training ground, you walk in the stadium, it's just steeped in history," he added.

"You look around, every single photo on the wall is of some kind of legend lifting a trophy, so you know what's expected."

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 38, says his future at the club beyond this season is taking a back seat to the club's pursuit of success. (Sun), external

On loan Celtic forward Johnny Kenny, 21, scored twice as Shamrock Rovers beat Borac Banja Luka 3-0 to seal progress in the Conference League. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Celtic are unbeaten in six Old Firm derbies, winning the past three.

Their only defeat in 13 meetings with Rangers came in a 'meaningless' game in May 2023 when the title was already won.

So does it all point to Brendan Rodgers' side wrenching the League Cup from their rivals' grasp at Hampden on Sunday?

Former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs believes so.

"There's no bias to this, but I can only see in terms of the form that Celtic are in, a Celtic victory," Stubbs told BBC Scotland.

"I think Rangers will be competitive, but Celtic's quality will be too much for them. I think we've already seen it - Rangers have not really got any consistency to their performances.

"They're still finding what's the right way, the manager's still finding what players he wants to go to.

"I actually think Rangers as a club are trying to find out what's the right direction, whereas Celtic are just steamrolling ahead and they've got far too much.

"Aberdeen have done very well this season, but in terms of the Old Firm, the gap between the two of them, I can only see one outcome really.

"I just think Celtic will be too strong and if they score early, then it could be by a couple."

Listen to Stubbs on the Sacked in the Morning Podcast on Wednesday, 18 December

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"Humble" Callum McGregor is paying no heed to personal success at Celtic as the captain targets his 23rd domestic honour in Sunday's League Cup final against Rangers.

McGregor is currently the fourth most decorated player in Celtic's history, behind Bobby Lennox (25 trophies), James Forrest (24) and Billy McNeill (23).

"I think of course you're aware of everything that's there but you don't get to where you've got to by chasing the numbers and chasing that type of status or whatever," said the 31-year-old midfielder.

"I'm humble enough to know that I'm very lucky to play at this club and to have the career I've had. I've done that by hard work and trying to be the best I can every single day.

"Nothing changes for me, every day I come in I try and do my best, I try and help the team, I try and get better as a player. I just want to deliver as much success as I can.

"The hunger's still there and at this club you have to keep proving yourself time and again, so it doesn't matter how many you've won, the next one's the most important."

McGregor says the excitement of playing in finals at Hampden hasn't waned over the years.

"Yeah [it's still there, that excitement], because every one you have to win, you have to be successful. So, that gives you the pressure and keeps you sharp between the years," he added.

Celtic will reportedly welcome Newcastle United in a July friendly. (Sun), external

Reaching 100 Celtic European games is "obviously special", says captain Callum McGregor, 31. (Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou says facing Rangers with Tottenham is the Europa League game he has been looking forward to most this season.

Postecoglou – under pressure amid Spurs' poor run of form – takes his side to Ibrox on Thursday.

The Australian, who won five out of six domestic trophies in two seasons with Celtic before his move to Spurs in June last year, said: "When the draw came out, it was the one of most interest to me because of my history up here. So I'm looking forward to it.

"It should be a good game and it's an important game for both clubs. A positive result gets you a good way to getting through to the knockout stages."

Postecoglou tasted victory and defeat in Govan with Celtic and is well aware the atmosphere at Ibrox goes up a notch on big European nights.

"Yeah, absolutely, and you've seen that this year as well," he added.

"When I was up here, particularly in my first year, they made the Europa League final so I've got a pretty clear idea of how challenging it is to play them here in front of their crowd and the atmosphere. At the same time, it's exciting.

"Their domestic season in the league hasn't gone as well as they would've liked but you can tell there's still the elements there of quality. They're in the cup final on the weekend and they've done really well in Europe."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Celtic's first phase of the season couldn't really have worked out any better if Brendan Rodgers had been allowed to write the script himself.

After a torrid start to his second coming this time last year, it's all smiles 12 months on. Should Celtic see off their arch rivals in Sunday's League Cup final, a perfect first phase of the season will be complete.

Domestic domination? Check. The defending champions haven't lost to Scottish opposition in a 30-game streak stretching back to early March.

Frankly, they haven't looked like losing. Just the two points dropped in the Premiership. Rangers comfortably beaten in the first derby. The early cup rounds negotiated with minimum fuss and a six-goal bonanza against nearest league challengers Aberdeen.

European respectability restored in the Champions League? Check. The measure of Celtic's improvement is their disappointment at failing to beat Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia this week.

That draw takes them on to nine points from six games. They've only lost once – to last year's runners-up Borussia Dortmund. Good wins over Slovan Bratislava and RB Leipzig. Creditable draws with Dinamo, Atalanta and Club Brugge.

A more than decent body of work which means a win in January at Celtic Park over pointless Young Boys will all secure progression to the knockout phase. European boxes ticked, and then some.

Which leaves us with the season's first trophy, up for grabs on Sunday. Celtic go into the match as favourites given their current form and their results against Rangers.

Philippe Clement has yet to win a derby since his arrival in Scotland over a year ago.

Celtic have not lost a meaningful one since Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side knocked them at the semi-final stage of the 2022 Scottish Cup.

Rodgers has the best win ratio of any modern manager in this fixture, up around the 80% mark.

While cup finals can be notoriously unpredictable, if Celtic's winning trend continues, Rodgers will look back on this first phase of the season with a great deal of satisfaction.

It's very hard for things to go perfectly. A win at Hampden on Sunday will get Celtic's first five months of this campaign pretty close.

Having battled to a second successive goalless draw on their Champions League travels, Celtic remain on course for the play-offs.

So where exactly does the stalemate with Dinamo Zagreb leave Brendan Rodgers' side?

Celtic are currently in 19th plaace on nine points from six games as they edge towards securing a top-24 finish.

Before this week's round of matches, Opta predicted that the likelihood of 10 points being enough to reach the play-offs was 94%.

That figure will be updated once all the matchday six games are completed, but is unlikely to change drastically, meaning a point from Celtic's final two games - Young Boys at home and Aston Villa away - should be sufficient.

Rodgers' men will no doubt want to leave nothing to chance and will be targeting victory when Swiss champions Young Boys come calling next month.

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We asked for your views on Celtic's 0-0 draw away to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

Here's what some of you said:

Fred: A point away from home is not to be sniffed at, given our record in this competition, but it still feels like a bit of a missed opportunity. Our build-up play lacked the intensity and tempo we've shown for most of the season. A win would have had us sitting in equal ninth place with Atalanta on 11 points and almost home and hosed.

Neil: Hugely satisfying and disappointing in equal measure. Some of our key players had poor games. Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi were all poor and I don't know what Adam Idah brings. Should have won that game but in truth most of us would have taken a point beforehand.

Andy: Dire game, too slow and zero press. Looked like we went there for the draw. My main concern is we're now banking on three points against Young Boys and we all know how these things can go!

Con: Huge missed opportunity. No urgency, no cutting edge. Just because it's an away point and a clean sheet doesn't mean we should automatically be happy with the performance. Anyway on to Sunday to become 'Cup champions'.

Edward: It looked like maybe Sunday's final was on the minds of some players. They didn't play with the fast tempo they normally do. They looked a little apprehensive and scared in the final third. Let's hope for better at the weekend.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Zagreb

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Celtic defender Alistair Johnston believes it's a sign of progress that his side leave Croatia disappointed to only have taken a point against Dinamo Zagreb.

Johnston was replaced at the interval after sustaining a hip-flexor injury in the opening half, but played his part in keeping a clean sheet and earning a ninth Champions League point of the campaign.

"It's a great sign," the Canada right-back said.

"I think since I've got here, that was one of the big things I've been told and has been pushed to me.

"We want to make strides in Europe and to think now that we're coming to away matches, it doesn't matter who the team is, but we are a little disappointed we only got to draw.

"I think that is a sign of things to come and again there's still levels to go because we know we do have the quality in this team to have found a winner there, but at the same time it wasn't our night."

Johnston hopes to be fit for Sunday's League Cup final at Hampden against Rangers to add to his impressive medal haul since joining Celtic.

"I didn't want to do any more damage, potentially, and we weren't really sure exactly what's going on with it," he said of his injury. "We'll get home and have a good look at it.

"That's a match that's circled on the calendar, it's one I want to be a part of to have a chance to lift the trophy.

"It's the first trophy of the season. It's something we'd love to add to our collection, end this calendar year on a on a high note."

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• Celtic (W1 D3) have gone four consecutive Champions League/European Cup matches without defeat for the first time since October 1986.

• There were just three shots on target in this game - the lowest total in a Champions League match this season.

• Dinamo remain unbeaten at home against Scottish opposition, although this was the first time they've failed to beat such opposition at home (P6 W5 D1).

• Celtic have had more than one goalless draw (v Atalanta in October and Dinamo here) in a Champions League campaign for the first time.

• Dinamo have lost just one of their last five Champions League matches (W2 D2), having lost five of their previous six before that (D1).

• With an average age of 28 years and 1 day, Celtic named their oldest starting XI for a Champions League game since a 1-0 win over Manchester United in November 2006 (28y 272d).

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After the goalless draw at Dinamo Zagreb, Celtic defender Auston Trusty tells TNT Sports: "We'll take the point, but we came here for three.

"It was a solid performance. We thought we could get more from the game.

"[Kasper Schmeichel is] class, he's saved us a bunch of times. It's great to have him behind me.

"We're showing we deserve to be here and can play in this competition."