Celtic face Rangers in Sunday’s League Cup Final in a highly anticipated game at Hampden. Both teams are enjoying fine runs of form but there can only be one winner when the sides meet.
Ange Postecoglou has insisted that his side will approach the game like any other as they look to retain the trophy. In December 2021, Celtic beat Hibs to win the trophy as Ange’s side picked up the first of their eventual League & Cup Double.
A second half brace from Kyogo sealed the trophy despite Hibs taking the lead through Paul Hanlon. Ange’s side managed to see out the game but a photograph circulating on social media shows how far Celtic have come in the three transfer windows since this game.
Moffat and Montgomery. pic.twitter.com/qlkHuYCHXR
— Johnny Browning (@discolite71) February 19, 2023
Owen Moffat and Adam Montgomery were pictured with the trophy as the Celts celebrated at Hampden. However, one League Cup Final later, they are no longer in the first team picture at the club.
Moffat is playing with Championship strugglers Blackpool’s U21s after leaving at the end of the summer window. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Moffat wasn’t able to bolster his claim for regular first team football.
Montgomery, meanwhile, is out at loan with St Johnstone and is impressing for Callum Davidson’s team.
The team that day was:
Celtic: Hart, Starfelt, Juranovic, Taylor (Ralston 75′), Carter-Vickers, McGregor, Johnston (Scales 83′), Abada, Turnbull (Bitton 27′), Rogic, Furuhashi (Moffat 83′)
Subs: Moffat, Montgomery, Bitton, Ralston, Bain, McCarthy, Scales, Welsh, Shaw
It is staggering how much the squad has improved in the intervening months. Notwithstanding that two big players, Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton departed last summer.
Celtic have added quality and depth in a number of key areas, meaning that there are options to come from the bench and impact upon a game and influence it. The recent Scottish Cup win over St Mirren showcased – goals coming from Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and Liel Abada – with Sead Haksabanovic assisting.
It will prove to be a great game at the weekend but the bench factor could prove to be pivotal as Ange looks to bring the trophy back to Paradise.
