FLASHBACK: February 2015 Celtic 2-0 Sevco

On the first of February 2015 Celtic met Sevco for the very first time and handed out a routine beating to the tribute act at Hampden. In subsequent fixtures not much has changed with the Ibrox club still waiting for a win over 90 minutes.

Back in 2015 Celtic were managed by Ronny Deila with the new boss returning to some of the backbone of Neil Lennon’s side to ensure success.

Kris Commons and Leigh Griffiths were back in favour with Sevco, managed by Kenny McDowall unable to lay a glove on Deila’s side.

The tough early days of Deila’s reign had been put into the past with a new look central defence much more resolute than the one that had leaked goals against Legia Warsaw and Maribor.

Without a Glasgow derby to drool over for three years this League Cup semi-final got the full treatment with all sorts of legends dug up from the past to offer their views.

On the day first half goals from Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons killed the match stone dead with some erratic decision from Craig Thomson preventing further scoring.

Only three of the Celtic side that won 2-0 in February 2015 are likely to start on Sunday but all those that featured three years ago will remember the match for the history that they created.

CRAIG GORDON

Probably his easiest ever match at Hampden, other than picking out a hopeless cross from Lee Wallace the hoops keeper had nothing to do.

After three years out of action Gordon slottled straight into the Celtic side following Fraser Forster’s transfer to Southampton.

He now has real competition for his place from Scott Bain but is expected to get the nod from Brendan Rodgers to start on Sunday at Hampden.

MIKAEL LUSTIG

The popular Swede only started 14 matches this season with more than half of them in Europe.

Adam Matthews was the regular right-back but Lustig’s return for this fixture brought some balance to the side as he cruised through the 90 minutes.

His place is now under serious threat from Jack Hendry but with the former Dundee man cup-tied Lustig will be in the side at Hampden.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK

Hanging on to van Dijk was probably the biggest achievement of Deila’s first transfer window which was characterised by bringing in mainly pointless loan signings.

Van Dijk barely broke sweat in domestic matches, this game was no different with one memorable ‘clash’ with Nicky Law.

Now he has a Champions League semi-final to look forward to after a brief stop at Southampton, he is very professional and driven with Celtic the launch of his top flight career.

JASON DENAYER

Slotted in easily alongside van Dijk and picked up the Kieran Tierney award at the end of the season, commonly known as Young Player of the Year.

There was little to bother about in this match with barely a token attempt at scoring from the tribute act.

Despite breaking into the Belgian national side at Celtic things have gone downhill rapidly with little sign of an upturn this season in his 16 appearances for Galatasaray.

EMILIO IZAGUIRRE

The Honduran was relatively unaffected by the switch from Neil Lennon to Ronny Deila with his role largely unaffected.

At Hampden he could push forward at will with little forward movement from a Sevco side intent on damage limitation.

Within a couple of months the emergence of Kieran Tierney signalled the beginning of the end for Izzy who finally moved on in the summer of 2017 to Saudi side Al Feiha

NIR BITTON

Was enjoying a great run of form at the time, some excited talk suggested that a fee close to £10m may be arriving.

Alongside Scott Brown the Israeli controlled the Hampden clash with barely a token contest offered by Ian Black and friends.

His Celtic prospects have been dramatically reduced but Brendan Rodgers admires his attitude and flexibility to play in defence although his season is already over due to injury.

SCOTT BROWN

He bossed it. There had been the usual noise from some at Ibrox in the build up to the match but as ever talk is cheap with Brown sending out his message on the park.

Nicky Law and Ian Black never had a chance to demonstrate their silky skills with Brown in charge from first whistle till last.

Little has changed in the last three years, Brown revels in conflict and intensity with Joey Barton among his victims in this fixture.

STEFAN JOHANSEN

Was on fire at this time on his way to picking up the Player of the Year awards.

Reunited with Ronny Deila he had licence to push forward to join the strikers with goal scoring a major part of his game.

Johansen is still going strong in scoring form for Fulham as the London side push for a return to the English Premier League.

KRIS COMMONS

Had been restored to favour but his boot throwing away to Hamilton prompted rumours that he was about to be sold to Bolton.

His goal, and celebration at Hampden summed up the feelings at the time with Celtic, and Commons utterly dominating Kenny McDowall’s side.

This was as good as it got for Commons, he signed a two year deal soon afterwards but never got a look in under Brendan Rodgers and now fills a number of media slots.

LEIGH GRIFFITHS

Had looked to be on his way out as fans favourite John Guidetti scored for fun backed up by Stefan Scepovic in reserve.

He rose brilliantly to head home the opening goal followed by a memorable celebration that was well worth a yellow card.

Now he has a battle with Moussa Dembele for the strikers jersey, will be score his 100th Celtic goal at Hampden?

ANTHONY STOKES

It was soon to go all wrong for Anthony in a career littered with equal highs and lows.

He adapted well to playing wide left and effectively became a support striker to Griffiths, Hampden seemed to be a favourite venue with a Scottish Cup win the following year as a Hibs player.

The chemistry between Stokes and Neil Lennon turned sour in Portugal during the winter break, now in exile in Cyprus his career continues on a rollercoaster.