With the League Cup already in the bag and a healthy lead at the top of the table, the first Scottish Cup game of the 2024/25 campaign arrives this weekend when Kilmarnock visit for a Saturday evening kick-off. It’s a tournament that Celtic have enjoyed great success in over recent years, and Hoops manager, Brendan Rodgers is aiming to continue that success despite facing a difficult first hurdle against Derek McInnes’ side. The manager said: “It’s a tough opponent that we’re playing, so we’re very mindful of that. Obviously Derek and his team, they’ve had a good rest over this period as well. “It’s the start of a competition that this club is synonymous with and we’re very excited by that, and we’ve got an extra little bit of recovery having played on Tuesday night, so everyone is fit, ready and available for a tough game.” He added: “Derek’s teams are always difficult to play against, they’re well-organised, well-motivated, and will work very hard. “We had a really tough game against them last time out when they played very well and we had to stand up and be strong, and defend well, but then showed the moments of quality needed to win the game. “It’s a totally different game coming back to our place. Obviously we played earlier on in the season as well at home, and played well and had a good scoreline. “But it’s a cup game, so we have to be ready to play against them and they’re a good side and they’ll be looking to be doing everything they can to get the result.” ‘We’re not defending the cup, we have to win it, and for that we want to go and attack the game, and play to the level that we know we can.’ “So we’ve got one trophy and two more to aim for, and, of course it’s the next game, so our focus is very much on looking to get off to a good start on the competition.”A good start will hopefully have an even better ending come May and the manager knows that the after-match scenes at the last final will have the players wanting more. He said: “It’s an incredible occasion, it always comes on the back of a really long arduous season with a lot of work, but, as a game, it’s a great climax to the season. “And obviously, of course, if you win it, like we did last season against a great rival, then it makes it extra-special. “So the final, if you can get to it, and win it, it can be a great end to your season.” No sooner will Saturday’s game be finished than eyes will look ahead to Wednesday night and the visit of YB Bern in the UEFA Champions League, but the manager has enjoyed having a little bit of breathing space this week compared to recent weeks. The Irishman said: “I think the beauty of it is that we have the rest. If you look at the last seven games we’ve had in 20 days, the players, they’ve done, so, so well to manage their way through it. “Of course whenever you draw or lose a game at a big club like Celtic, it stings, there’s no doubt. “But generally over the seven games, having five wins, a draw and only one defeat in that period when the games are so tight you are virtually playing every few days, the players have done, really, really well. “So we now have a little point where we have that extra day recovery going into Kilmarnock, and then we don’t play until Wednesday, so that allows us to virtually reset again and come out of what that really, really tight, busy and hard schedule was. “So from a physical perspective, and a mental perspective, we’ll be ready. Watch the full video to hear the manager on: Squad availability. Transfer Speculation Johnny Kenny Alex Valle Three games at home in a week More on the game Kasper Schmeichel relishing Scottish Cup challenge –
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