Time for Celtic to burst another bubble at Hampden

Sunday’s Cup Final against theRangers was never a given, but play to the best of our abilities and there will only be one outcome…

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates
Nicolas Kuhn celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

As the Premier Sport League Cup Final looms closer, it now seems that theRangers are favourites amongst their supporters and their cohorts in the Scottish mainstream media once more.

A few weeks ago everyone (theRangers supporters especially) were all saying it was Celtic’s name on the trophy, due to the form of both clubs, but anyone with any knowledge of football knows it rarely works like that.

In my eyes it was never a given, even with the Ibrox side playing so poorly, as cup finals are always a bit of a lottery and anything can happen on the day.

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates
Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

However due to theRangers recent run of good form and their draw with Spurs last night, supporters of the Ibrox side have grown more confident and can see only one winner come Sunday evening.

That in my opinion is good for us, as we know how much the heavy burden of expectations affects the latest Ibrox club.  So their newly found optimism could be something of a blessing for Celtic. Aberdeen too came to Hampden in the semi-final feeling exactly the same way after enjoying a brilliant start to the season. Celtic burst that particular bubble and can do the same again on Sunday if we play the same way.

Kyogo and Daizen Maeda celebrate
Kyogo and Daizen Maeda celebrate a Daizen goal against Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden on 2nd November 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

As for our own side, we haven’t really been our free flowing selves lately despite being undefeated and sitting comfortably at the top of the table, as well as being in contention for a Champions League play off spot, that perhaps should have already been secured.

That shows how much our expectations have grown that we think we’ve being underwhelming despite the good position we find ourselves in. There is a valid explanation, the conditions at Pittodrie were truly dreadful, the pitch in Zagreb was awful and the game against Hibs was sandwiched in between those two huge games.

Daizen Maeda with the match ball
Daizen Maeda with the match ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Sunday is another huge game, and we have a great record in big games, especially at Hampden. We always rise to the big occasion and I am confident that Sunday will be no exception. If we play to the best of our abilities, like we did against Aberdeen in the Semi final, then I’m sure there will be only one outcome, and that is a Celtic win.

Premier Sports Cup
Premier Sports Cup semi-final, Celtic against Aberdeen. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

READ THIS…“It’s really special – the connection between the team and supporters,” Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has been previewing the Cup Final in an exclusive interview on Celtic TV and The Celtic Star has transcribed the text from the entire interview which you can read HERE. There’s a snippet out on video from Celtic TV which you can watch below.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

1 Comment

  1. Against Zagreb was a tactical battle Zagreb needed the points but sat back and never pushed men forward it only takes a miss pass in a tight defense to put player off passing forward that what happens to Taylor a couple forward passes don’t get through the tight defence it’s pass backwards all through the game left side then was not causing any danger from amTrusty hiata maeda were stagnant should we play valle a more forward thinking left back but gets caught out of position we all know the rangers word class winger on loan to them will need to be watch I expect desser to play our defence will handle him there midfield have not produced in derbies but our is not cohesive but when was the last game where teams were not parking the bus and packing middle of the pitch Celtic midfield have to be running if the ball cause we won’t get any help from Beaton who will allow tackling from the back legal till one of Celtic players do it ref always books the tackling midfielder McGregor that puts him on a tight rope benardo will play with haita but ge has to hold the ball Rodgers will be telling his players keep the ball going forward media has to get a traveler don’t let him gets his head up khun and Johnson if fit will need to watch for the switch of play souter missing man can’t play three games in a week clement took a risk