Stevie Frail has spent the last few days drilling into his players the need to be at their very best at Hampden against Rangers tonight.
Celtic go into the match on a seven game winning run, incliding a 3-0 defeat of Rangers, having clinched the SPL title on Saturday with a 3-0 win over Motherwell.
That trophy was clinched in front of 400 fans at Bathgate but tonight’s clash is expected to attract 10,000 fans along to Hampden for the biggest match of the season.
“We’ve had a lot of games recently but this is a very different challenge,” Frail admitted. “A cup final is special no matter who you play, it’s at the national stadium and playing against Rangers makes it extra special.
“Both clubs will be able to use the experience of last season, we know how tough the game will be and it’s a big stage for the players to prove themselves on.
“The two matches with Rangers in the SPL have been very contrasting, we were really pleased with how we performed a few weeks back at Murray Park.
“It’s always a really tough game, Murray Park is a hard place to go to but we won there last year before the cup final and hopefully we can repeat that again this year.
“This game stands out on it’s own, it’s seperate to anything that has happened in the league. Everyone knows that anything can happen in finals Rangers will be very dangerous and that’s how you must prepare.
“We’re looking forward to getting to Hampden, we’ve only been thinking about it since Saturday but the team is well prepared and looking forward to the match.”
A year ago at Hampden goals from substitute’s Sean Fitzharris and Filip Twardzik clinched the cup for Celtic with Matty Hughes, Callum Bagshaw and Greig Spence from that side likely to start tonight.
In November Rangers beat Celtic 4-2 at Barrowfield in the league but on April 12 Celtic won 3-0 at Murray Park with Callum McGregor, Tony Watt and Patrik Twardzik on the scoresheet.
Tonight’s match kicks off at 7.30 and is pay at the gate, £5 for adults and £2 for concessions. Get along early if you can.
CELTIC U-19?s CLINCH SPL TITLE
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
[bet_365 type=’generic’ size=’468′ af_code=’365_050711′]
[bet_365 type=’generic’ size=’468′ af_code=’365_050711′]