Why Rodgers sentimental journey may well renew old memories

It's where his fairytale first managerial tenure at Celtic all started in 2016/17. It was a campaign that ended with a unique slice of Scottish football history. The Northern Irishman is gearing up for his 10th visit to the Mount Florida Bowl. He has yet to taste defeat.

Ironically the omens are good as Rodgers will face off again against Aberdeen whom he defeated 3-0 in his first domestic final with the men in green and white. It's the Reds who now lie in wait in the 2024 Scottish Cup semi-final.

It was Bertie Auld who famously joked during Jock Stein's all-conquering managerial reign in the 1960s that Celtic visited Hampden so often that they used it as a training base. Celtic have the same vibe under Rodgers as he sets his sights on a record 42nd triumph in the competition.

Rather ominously the 51-year-old revealed in the aftermath of the champions' 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over St Mirren last weekend that this is the time of the season when Celtic comes alive.

For Rodgers and Celtic, it is strictly business although the cup holders will be without the services of Japanese winger Daizen Maeda but Irish central defender Liam Scales is available once again for selection.

READ MORE: Rodgers: Our key players return would make football smile

Rodgers said: "I'm really looking forward to it. I had to wait a long time to get back to Hampden.

"The Scottish Cup is a competition which is very rich in its history, especially for a club like Celtic having won it 41 times.

"The memories created in this competition over the years are iconic for the club. For us to be able to take that step and have another opportunity to win it, I am looking forward to that.

"It's the time of the season, like I said last week when a club like Celtic comes alive with anticipation and the opportunity to win titles. That's something I found here during my first time and that is the feeling I've got here again this time around.

"When you come to a club like Celtic there is an expectation to win. I know the feeling is much greater now than when I was first here. I felt leading into that first League Cup semi-final there was a bit of trepidation playing at Hampden. I said at that time if you are going to become winners then you have got to start enjoying it and you enjoy it by playing well and winning.

"That's always been my focus going into these games. I am always looking to perform. Of course, there is big anticipation around them and big pressure but you've got to embrace that and look to perform. In the main, any time I have gone there I have always felt the team has performed to a high technical and tactical level.

"It will be the same message, we will go there, and we will respect Aberdeen although it has not been a great season for them in terms of league and the changes in manager. The semi-final is always a tough game but we are ready for it.

"I think as long as you can control what you can and go into it with that confidence in your preparation, and not overthink it, just play your game. We know when we can do that then football will bring success for us.

"That was it really from that first semi-final that we played, we played really well then we went into the League Cup game, and we were absolutely outstanding in that game.

"So, that gave the players a good feeling, and when we were to go back there later on in the season, we again played well and obviously the final game of that season was a historical game.

"Then after that, it was the first season we started to enjoy, and most importantly, the supporters went and had that expectation of winning, and that's what success should look like.

"That expectation, going and playing, and looking forward to it, and see where it takes you. I've loved all the games there. In the semi-finals and the finals, there have been great atmospheres and there is that edge on it to get your hands on a trophy.

"To win that first League Cup was so special that first season. To then come into the Scottish Cup, again, I've got so many memories of that growing up as a child and knowing what it means to this club, and always with that ambition to add to the trophy haul for the club.

"So, I've thoroughly enjoyed it, and I say it jokingly, but I have missed it this year, not having the chance to go.

"When I went a couple of times, I went to see Scotland and now it's the chance to be on the sidelines, which is what I want."

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It's been a monumental week for Rodgers and his side who took a significant stride to claiming their third successive league title without actually kicking a ball.

Last Sunday's defeat to Ross County in Dingwall and subsequent draw with Dundee at Dens Park saw Celtic gain some breathing space at the summit and move three points clear of Philippe Clement's stuttering Rangers.

The mood music makes pleasant listening for Rodgers. Although he was keen to stress that with five games to go in the Scottish Premiership title race, nothing has been decided yet.

For Rodgers, Celtic's season has been all about writing the club's own story and not worrying about results elsewhere.

He said: "I think our focus has always been on ourselves and I made that point to the players irrespective of what happens with other results. The way it goes for other teams, we can only do our work, because you can soften up, especially at this time just because another team might have drawn or lost or whatever. That's irrelevant because you've got to perform and get the result. If you come off it against teams who are motivated and organised, then they can give you a problem.

"So, for us, we have to continually focus on our own performance irrespective of what happens elsewhere.

"As I said, we have to create our story, and for that, we have to work at it, and that hopefully will be the storyline come the end of the season."

However, he has been extremely proud of the way his men have handled the pressure thus far and momentum is building.

Rodgers said: "We don't play in the league for over a week or so. It is not my focus. My message has always been the same, It is not how you start the marathon it is how you finish.

" For us, we are improving day by day. We are looking good on the field. We still have lots of improvements to make. Our performances in the main have been good. There is still a long way to go in terms of the league. Five games and 15 points is a lot of points to play for. Our focus right now is very much on getting to the Scottish Cup final.

"We've had an inconsistent period, especially in the first six months or so but naturally, I can see the reasons why that would be. I have always maintained that once we had key, influential players back playing for us then the football will smile much more. That's how it's been we have been good in the games but I still strive for more consistency in the team. That is something spoke to the players about in the week.

"Momentum is important. We want to keep that going. Dealing with pressure is everything. Self-control is what you need in this environment of high stakes and high pressure. It is needed no more so when you are under pressure. That's when your poise and experiences come into it. Dealing with pressure is something you need to do when you are at a club of this size.

"Listen, we haven't won anything yet. We are in a Scottish Cup semi-final which is great. We are improving and getting better and the performance level is showing that. I demand more from the team and we will push right through to the very last whistle of the season.

"It's a part of a league campaign you will not play 38 league games or cup games to the very highest level. You are going to have those dips and those waves. Your strength is really how you shift that. That's the real strength whenever those moments and things are not going quite well can you shift and get the team back on track. The players have been brilliant. They have had to dig in for lots of moments this season and gain the results.

"We have just chipped away and stayed focused on our game model and how we play and when important and influential players come back in then all the pieces come together again. The fluidity of the team is much better. You can never have doubts and I think the more we have worked together the more we have come together and everybody on and off the pitch is on the same page."

 The 2016/17 League Cup final win over the Dons was the pre-cursor to what happened next as Rodgers led his Celtic team to an unprecedented 'Invincible' Treble culminating in the history-making Scottish Cup triumph over the luckless Reds in May 2017.

No sentimental journey to Hampden Park would be complete without mentioning that 'Invincible' final.  Cue THAT Tom Rogic goal, cue the thunder and lightning, as well as the image of cue Craig Gordon sinking to his knees on the sodden National Stadium turf. Earlier this week former Celtic skipper revealed that Rogic's winning goal was his standout moment of all the silverware success he enjoyed at the club.

Rodgers said: "It's such a special place, Hampden, and we will never forget those scenes. It was a nerve-racking final. We had not got off to a great start then we came back into the game. The game ebbed and flowed but as it went on, that final half hour, it looked like we were the ones that were going to score.

"We kept pushing but Derek's team kept fighting and held us out until Tom's moment of magic won the game. All the scenes with Craig on his knees, it was just such an incredible feeling there that day. I've loved the times at Hampden, playing in those games."

Aberdeen beware. Rodgers is embarking on a sentimental journey. He's here to renew old memories.