Aaron Mooy is out to add to his diverse collection

Twelve months ago Aaron Mooy was faced with the dilemma of trying to stay match fit for hopefully two World Cup play-off ties.

On his own, based in Scotland he knuckled down to play a starring in role in victories over the UAE and Peru to create the ‘headache’ of finding a club to prepare properly for Qatar.

To say that the 22/23 season has gone well for Mooy is an understatement. Appearing in the Champions League and World Cup Finals almost back-to-back is quite an achievement with Celtic now enjoying the benefits of the 32-year-old with his match fitness restored.

Breaking into the Celtic midfield is no mean achievement, going to Hampden on Sunday Mooy will be a key player for Ange Postecoglou as Celtic look to pick up the first domestic trophy of the season.

“I’m looking forward to going for medals,” the midfielder told Video Celts. “That’s what we are here for, to be competing for trophies.

“I won the A-League in 2014 with Western Sydney Wanderers and the Premiership Play Off with Huddersfield but a cup final is something special.

“Under Ange everyone has to work hard, he has progressed as a manager since he was in charge of Australia and it is great to be part of this Celtic squad.”

While his medal collection is on the thin side, so far, Mooy has now picked up 57 international caps, the last of them coming against Argentina in December.

Cammy Devlin of Hearts came home with the cherished Messi jersey but Mooy perhaps has a future investment with the number 24 shirt worn by Enzo Fernandez- before his £108m transfer to Chelsea.

“Playing in the World Cup was a fantastic experience,” Mooy added. “Against Argentina I swapped shorts with Fernandez who went on to pick up the Young Player of the Tournament award.

“I got a shirt from the win over Denmark but kept my other shirts for my family. The World Cup was huge and it’s something good to look back on.”