What Brendan Rodgers is sensing at Lennoxtown training right now bodes well for Celtic fans

A Scottish Cup semi-final, a potential final and five Games to go as league leaders in the Scottish Premiership.

These are the times we savour as Celtic supporters, knowing the days of celebration that could be ahead shortly.

There has been a fair amount of tension among fans throughout the season. Blows and missteps along the way threatened to derail the campaign.

However, increasingly, there’s an air of excitement around the team and what could be achieved – especially after opening up a three-point gap on rivals Rangers in the league table.

For manager Brendan Rodgers, this is the stage of the season that Celtic truly come ‘alive’. He spoke about that in the wake of last weekend’s win over St Mirren.

Brendan Rodgers on Celtic training

Asked in a media conference today whether he senses that ‘alive’ atmosphere amongst his group at Lennoxtown right now, Rodgers responded [Celtic FC YouTube]: “Yeah, yeah. Our training rehearsals have been great this week.

“I just think everyone is on the same page. We’ve got players back available. The quality of the training and the speed of the training have been absolutely superb.

“Yeah, it’s this time of the season when a club like ourselves comes alive with the anticipation and the opportunity to win titles. That’s something I found here during my first time and I feel it here again this time.”

Celtic boss “ready” for Hampden trip

Celtic head to Hampden on Saturday to face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup – a venue that Rodgers has had great success at previously. He’s relishing the prospect of being on the touchline at the national stadium again.

Rodgers continued: “When you come to a club like this there’s an expectation to win. I know now the feeling is much greater than when I was first here. I feel heading into that first League Cup semi-final there was a wee bit of trepidation around playing at Hampden.

“If you’re going to become winners then you’ve got to start enjoying it. You enjoy it by playing well and winning. That’s always been my focus going into these Games, looking to perform.

“Of course, there’s big anticipation and big pressure. Go and embrace that. In the main, any time I’ve gone to Hampden I’ve always felt the team has performed to a really high level on a technical level and a tactical level.

“It’s the same message, we go there and respect Aberdeen – it’s not been a great season for them – but any semi-final is going to be a tough Game. We’re ready for it.”

Celtic booking their place in the final of the Scottish Cup will only increase the growing good feeling around the team right now. It’s imperative that no momentum is lost in that regard.

Aberdeen won’t make it easy but the Bhoys have a great record against the Dons in the closing stages of tournaments and it’s time to assert that dominance again.

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