Celtic have that hunger to succeed, says Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers wants Celtic to cement their impressive start to the season by lifting the BetFred Cup against Aberdeen at Hampden next month, writes Joe McHugh.

Celtic have that hunger to succeed, says Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers wants Celtic to cement their impressive start to the season by lifting the BetFred Cup against Aberdeen at Hampden next month, writes Joe McHugh.

An 88th-minute goal from Moussa Dembele against Rangers booked Celtic's place in the final after they had dominated throughout their semi-final clash against their city rivals.

Last season Celtic lost out at the semi-final stage in both domestic cup competitions with the decision to release Ronny Deila coming two days after a Scottish Cup defeat on penalties to Rangers.

Rodgers has transformed every aspect of the club since his arrival and is determined to grab the first trophy of the season to build on the momentum being created.

“It's been a great start to the season for us,” he stated. “You see the collective mentality and spirit within the team.

“The players are performing magnificently well, they have that hunger to succeed. They are playing at a real top level tempo both with and without the ball.

“In order to rubber stamp all that you want to get trophies. In order to do that you need to get to the final and we've achieved that.

“We'll concentrate on that in a number of weeks time. It was a performance worthy of getting to a final.”

Rodgers added: “I felt that we were very dominant today in terms of chances, power, strength and the quality of our game but sometimes when they don't go in, or you don't get luck you start to wonder.

“Every element of our game was at a very high level, when you consider they are coming off a huge Champions League match in midweek every single player deserves huge credit.

“Not just for the performance but the strength of mentality to get the victory.

“It was wonderful play to create the goal, Leigh (Griffiths) and Stuart Armstrong came in and reinvigorated the team.

“Leigh showed his unselfish nature playing the ball into Moussa's path for the goal and it was another great finish.”

After losing the Scottish Cup semi-final to Rangers in April Scott Brown was one of the Celtic players that came in for most criticism.

The hoops skipper retired from international football at the start of this season with the club dividend from that decision obvious to everyone watching at Hampden.

“Our fitness shone through in the end,” Brown said afterwards. “It says a lot for the whole team to come up with an 88th minute winner on the back of a disappointing European result.

“We are enjoying our football, controlling games as well as we can. Overall we were the better team and deserved the win. Even if it had gone to extra time I think we'd have got through.”

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