COLLINS – BROWN LEADS BY EXAMPLE

CELTIC assistant boss John Collins will celebrate his 47th birthday today.

And the Hoops No.2 hopes to round off a perfect weekend with a League Cup semi-final win at Hampden tomorrow.

Collins said: “We know it is going to be a challenge, but these are the occasions we all dream about, where you are playing in big games and full stadiums.

“When you walk out that tunnel at Hampden, it’s a great feeling and that’s why we come to work every day to get better and to win things. It can’t come quickly enough for me.”

Collins, speaking on Celtic TV, admitted he believes skipper Scott Brown has a crucial role to play.

He said: “There’s going to be lots of tension and the players will have to deal with that.

“As usual, we’ll be meticulous in our own preparation. We treat our opponents with respect and our work will be done Monday to Saturday.

“Come Sunday it is up to the players to go on and perform.

“Every game is important, but as a captain, going into Hampden with your team-mates behind you, it’s a great place to win.

“Scott is a leader and he leads by example.

“When he steps out onto the pitch we know exactly what we are going to get from him.

“He’s going to win challenges, he’s going to keep the ball moving and you never know, he might get a goal.

“It’s also important that Scott controls his team-mates, hoping that they get the balance right between relaxed and confident, but focused.

“Once they cross that white line, he has to continually talk to them, and if he sees someone is not focused, then he has to get right on top of them.

“That’s the captain’s job.”