BRENDAN RODGERS goes into this evening Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen on the back of a phenomenal record.
Remarkably, the Celtic manager has sampled defeat just once in THIRTY-TWO domestic Cup games over his two stints in charge of the champions.
The only blip in a truly stupendous sequence of success came in August last year when Rodgers, in his third comeback game, watched his side, with newcomers Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Holm in the starting line-up, collapse to a 1-0 League Cup reverse against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
THAT OLD FAMILIAR FEELING…Brendan Rodgers with the 2018 League Cup.
The result ended the side’s hopes of winning the competition’s silverware for the seventh time in eight years. It was also the team chief’s first defeat in 25 Cup matches.
Happily, Rodgers and his players returned to the same venue in May to claim the Hoops’ third successive title with a runaway 5-0 victory over Derek McInnes’ club.
Coincidentally, McInnes had been the manager of Aberdeen when the Irishman claimed his first Cup as Celtic gaffer when goals from Tom Rogic, James Forrest and Moussa Dembele (pen) gave them a 3-0 victory in the League Cup showpiece at Hampden in November 2016.
In his first spell, Rodgers completed a hat-trick in the same competition when he added wins over Motherwell (2-0) and the Dons (1-0).
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE…Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor with the Scottish Cup after the 1-0 Hampden triumph over Ibrox opposition on May 25.
It’s been smiles all the way in the Scottish Cup with three consecutive triumphs spread over seven years – Aberdeen (2-1) and Motherwell (2-0) in his first spell.
And Rodgers brought down the curtain on his second coming with a 1-0 victory over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit when Adam Idah proved to be the Scottish Cup matchwinner on the iconic date of May 25.
The manager and his players now have Jimmy Thelin’s rejuvenated Pittodrie side in their sights with a December 15 date at Hampden the target when the League Cup will be up for grabs.
Bet against Cup expert Brendan at your peril.
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Celtic v Aberdeen this evening – only in your champion CQN.
