'Our hunger is there to reach the final'

Last season's League Cup disappointment is fuelling Celtic's "hunger" to beat Aberdeen on Saturday and secure a place in the final, says Brendan Rodgers.

The Celtic manager suffered the first cup defeat of his tenure across two spells when his side were knocked out by Kilmarnock in the last 16 in August 2023.

Now he is keen to make amends and move within 90 minutes of a fourth League Cup success.

"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."

Rodgers has a perfect record at Hampden of 11 wins from 11 and says "ensuring you stay calm in your approach" is crucial.

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."