It’s hard to believe Celtic haven’t won the League cup since 08/09 season. Extra time goals from Darren O’Dea and Aiden McGeady secured the trophy that day against an EBT XI. Gordon Strachan was the man in the hot seat that day, with players like Shunsuke Nakamura and Artur Boruc playing for the club. Since then Celtic have participated in two League Cup finals and lost on both occasions one to the Ebt’ers and the other to Kilmarnock. On the 18th March 2012 Celtic played Kilmarnock in the final and despite the dominance and 
persistence of Neil Lennon’s Celtic side that day they were beaten by a late Dieter van Tornhout goal. The Killie player only ever scored two goals for the club and that was one of them. In fact Celtic have somewhat of an unwanted record in this competition being runners-up on 15 occasions.
It has been too long since the League cup has resided at Celtic Park and it’s up to Ronny and his bhoys to make sure it’s 3rd time lucky in pursuit of the prize.
Celtic will be up against a fiery and intelligent Dundee Utd side on Sunday, just like they were last weekend. Although we hope that the officials show intelligence and restraint that was clearly lacking in the game at Tannadice. This should be a game to showcase Scottish football for all the right reasons, it should not become about the officials. Hearing Bobby Madden will be the whistler for this game doesn’t exactly inspire though.
Celtic have injury concerns ahead of the final and could be a little patched up when they walk into Hampden. We also have to wait on Virgil van Dijk’s appeal heating which is scheduled for today to find out if the big man will miss through suspension. With Dundee Utd player Butcher walking free from the suspension due to mistaken identity it would be farcical if van Dijk was not allowed to play in the final.
Neil Lennon’s teams were accused of choking at big moments and it did become a bit of a problem in cup competitions for the Irishman. That’s why it’s imperative Ronny manages to get through the final and come out the other end with the trophy. It will prove a catalyst for the whole team going forward and will set up a very interesting final third of the season.
We must be wary of Jackie McNamaras’s side but we should know by now that Celtic have enough about them to get the victory on the day.
It’s over to you bhoys!
