Celtic’s “Hunger” for Final Spot Stems from Previous Cup Exit

Brendan Rodgers stated that Celtic’s “hunger” to defeat Aberdeen this Saturday and secure a spot in the final is being driven by the team’s League Cup disappointment from the previous season. The August 2023 elimination by Kilmarnock in the last 16 marked the Celtic manager’s initial cup defeat during his combined two tenures. Rodgers now aims to rectify that outcome and position his team 90 minutes away from achieving a fourth League Cup title. “It certainly gives us hunger,” Rodgers said. “We missed out on that one last season but a year down the line we’re in a far different place to last year. “Our hunger is there to reach our first final, we were really disappointed last year that we didn’t and we weren’t up to challenge for that trophy. “But we are this time and we have a great opportunity on Saturday.” With an impeccable record of 11 wins from 11 matches at Hampden, Rodgers emphasized the importance of “ensuring you stay calm in your approach.” He added: “It’s about that balance between being super-aggressive when you haven’t got the ball, showing that hunger to get it and being defensively organised.”And then play with calmness and speed when you have the ball. That’s something we have always preached.” “Every game is a big game for us so the mantra this week isn’t so different. When you are a Celtic player or manager, every game is huge and, obviously, a semi-final at Hampden is also a big game.”