Rodgers insists Celtic will respect Rangers in Scottish Cup final

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Rodgers insists Celtic will respect Rangers in Scottish Cup final

Celtic are on the hunt for more silverware
Celtic are on the hunt for more silverwareAFP
Brendan Rodgers insisted Celtic will respect Rangers in Saturday's Scottish Cup despite his side's recent dominance against their bitter rivals.

Celtic are bidding to cap a memorable season by adding the Scottish Cup to the Premiership title.

It is 22 years since the last Old Firm Scottish Cup final and the teams' current track record suggests Celtic should avenge their loss to Rangers in the 2002 showpiece.

Celtic took 10 points from Rangers this season and finished eight points above them in the league table.

The Hoops have only suffered one defeat against their Glasgow neighbours in the previous 11 derbies -- and that came after last season's title was already clinched.

Rodgers' own record against Rangers over two spells in charge of Celtic is equally dominant, with 13 wins and just one defeat in 17 encounters.

However, the Celtic boss is adamant he will not arrive at Hampden Park on Saturday feeling invincible.

"You can never have that arrogance. It's not how we work. We have a humility in how we work," he told reporters on Thursday.

"We respect every opponent that we play, whether it's Rangers or Raith. We have to prepare for the game."

Rodgers, who has a full squad to choose from, added: "We come into the game in the ideal condition, I don't think there is any doubting that. We have been on fire the last few months.

"As the season has built up and into the pressure moments, the players have been absolutely superb in how they dealt with that."

Celtic showed no sign of nerves when they routed Kilmarnock 5-0 to clinch the title and they go into the final on an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Warning his players not to be complacent, Rodgers said: "I would say you still have to be super focused.

"That's why the likes of Callum McGregor is a top operator, why James Forrest has been over so many years as well. Their trophy haul is absolutely incredible.

"I have an assurance of what I will get from them and I can put my faith in them."

Follow the game here with Flashscore.

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