8 Celtic presser headlines as Brendan Rodgers talks selection headache and hunger for League Cup glory

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says that he has been tasked with a selection headache after the strong performances of various Hoops players in recent weeks - and he'll use that desire to play to fuel their hunger to right their League Cup wrongs from last season.

The Hoops were dumped out by Kilmarnock in the early stages of the cup last season in one of Rodgers' first games of his second spell at the club, which eventually saw rivals Rangers win the competition just a few months later.

The picture is much different this time around. The Hoops are unbeaten on domestic soil, but they face a tricky test against Aberdeen who also haven't lost in Scotland this season - and with his players performing well with others returning from injury, the Hoops gaffer has spoken about the trials and tribulations of wanting to win the cup again. Here, Football Scotland picks out 8 key headlines from his press conference.

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Team news

"We are in a really good place. Everyone is fit and healthy. We've only got one in Odin (Thiago Holm) who's been out for a little while with his calves. But other than that, I'm really happy that we've managed to get through into this period now in a really healthy way. So, all fine fitness wise."

Aberdeen admiration

"Obviously having played them a couple of weeks ago, we can see that they are a really good side. They have done so, so well this season. It's a semi-final and everyone going into a semi-final wants to get to the final. So, we are really looking forward to it. We are in a really good place as a squad and as a team, and we know the challenge of a semi-final."

On this season's 2-2 thriller, he said: "It was a game that we should've won. I've been pretty clear on that in the game and especially analysing it afterwards. We were 2-0 up in the game and had other chances, and we get punished for our slackness in that first 15/20 minutes of the second half. So, that showed us if your slack and you are not concentrated in your defending, you are not committed in the defending then they've got quality players that can hurt you.

"We seen that with the two goals that they score especially the first one. That has to be learned, and it will be. It was something that we were able to talk about afterwards and obviously coming into this game. But even then, in the last 20 minutes we had chances to win the game, however we know that we need to play really well to get to the final."

Unsurprised by Aberdeen's rise

"No, I think it's a great credit to them. Their first ten league games, they've played with that consistency and done really really well. They've got really good players and Jimmy has clearly has come in and done a fantastic job, he's got really good coaching staff behind the scenes as well.

"I always expect Aberdeen, because of my time up here the first time, to be up there challenging. In Derek [McInnes'] time there, he had a great period, so I sort of expect them to be there. To see them up there is not a surprise and when I see how they play and perform, they're playing very well."

Hungry for League Cup glory

"It certainly gives us hunger. We missed out on that one last season. A year down the line we are in a far different place to last year. So our hunger is there to reach our first final. We were really disappointed this time last year when we didn't and we weren't up to challenging for that trophy but we are for this one. We had a great opportunity tomorrow to get there."

His winning experience at Hampden

"No. It's always been a great joy to go there. I think, for me, I've always treated it like it's my first time. I mean, that's been my mindset. Whether it's 13 or whatever my mindset is always I am excited about being there and seeing half the stadium full of Celtic supporters with the opportunity either to win a final or get to a final. It'll be no different tomorrow. I just think it is ensuring that you stay calm in your approach. It is that balance between being really super aggressive when you haven't got the ball and feeling that real hunger to get the ball and being really defensively organised and then playing with that calmness and speed when you have the ball. So that's something that we've always preached.

"I think leading into this, any final obviously, we've had a midweek game. The concentration was on the Dundee game and then we can flip quickly onto this game. It's been very focused for us every game is a big game. So the matchup for us this week isn't so much different. When you're a Celtic player or manager, every game is huge. It's a semi-final at Hampden which is also a big game.

Selection headache

"Yes. I've got a few decisions to make in terms of the team. I think all the players have value in playing. Every player because a lot of the guys have been playing have shown good value in how they've been playing and how they've been performing. There will be a role for them all at some point but of course, sentiment doesn't come into it. I need to pick what think is the best team to win this game and I will do that."

Aberdeen competition great for Scottish football

"Yeah, I think it's brilliant. It's great, Whether it's football or whether it's business any competition is healthy. That's what makes you better. You always drag your own standards and your own standard of performance, absolutely. The competition is really, really healthy and it can keep moving you forward. Aberdeen are up there fighting and everyone will expect Rangers to be up there at some point alongside other teams, the two teams from Edinburgh will feel that they want to be up there challenging as well. I think the more competitive the league it can help improve you."

Hasn't watched Aberdeen vs Rangers

"I'll be honest, I haven't watched it. I've seen what other analysts have brought through. I've watched the game and we only played them a couple of weeks ago, I think if there was a big distance between the games I would have watched it. I'm not going to watch it but I've seen what our analysts and the guys have prepared and it's no different to what we saw a couple of weeks ago. We've done all the analysis. We did a deep analysis after our game with Aberdeen and obviously, I'm adding to that some of the things that we've seen during the week. We've done all that and then we'll play our game."