Manager: We love playing at home and are looking forward to Hibs game | OneFootball

Celtic are in Scottish Cup action this weekend when they play host to Hibernian in the last eight of the competition.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are the cup holders, and are determined to do everything they can to hold on to the trophy they won in such a thrilling manner last season.

The next step in that defence is this Sunday’s cup-tie against Hibs (KO: 3pm), which will be the fifth meeting between the sides this season, with the Hoops winning three of the four encounters.

Speaking ahead of the game, Brendan Rodgers said: “We’re really looking forward to it. It should be a great game and a great atmosphere so we’re excited by it.

“The context of the game is totally different to when we played a couple of weeks ago. The energy in the game will be totally different and I expect a difficult game but I also expect Hibs to have a difficult game also.

“I came away from the game seeing a Hibs team that’s very well-organised, in a different space to what they were at the beginning of the season.

With the Edinburgh side bringing around 7,000 fans through to the East End of Glasgow on Sunday, it will certainly change the dynamic of the atmosphere inside Celtic Park, though the 53,000 Celtic fans roaring on the team will play their part in proceedings.

“Hibs are on a very good run so their supporters will be buoyed by that as well,” said the Celtic manager, “and they’ll come and support the team, and that’ll activate our supporters as well. So it should be a great atmosphere.

“We’re playing at home, which we love to do. We’ll have 50,000-odd supporters who will be with us in the game and we’re very hungry to get to Hampden.”

While Celtic are the most successful club in the history of the Scottish Cup with 42 wins – from their first triumph in 1892 through to the most recent success in 2024 – Brendan Rodgers also has an incredible record in the competition.

He has managed Celtic in 19 previous Scottish Cup ties, and he has won all 19 of them, which has resulted in three trophy lifts at Hampden too.

That record began back in January 2017 with a 3-0 win over Albion Rovers, and he hopes it will continue with victory over Hibernian on Sunday.

“From my first spell here coming in 2016, I’ve always recognised the importance of this competition, which is why we give absolutely everything to try and win it,” the Hoops boss said.

“That final at Hampden is such a special trophy to play for, and especially when you get to the quarter-final stage, the final is there but you just have to focus on this game and the games that can take you there.

“I said when I came back, my promise to supporters was to win, to fight for them and the players, and to have progress in Europe, and I think that winning, and winning trophies is what I said I wanted to do when I came in.

“It’s very much a part of the game here at Celtic and obviously the Scottish Cup being an opportunity to win a really special trophy.

“So, for me, every game in this competition is so important and I hope I can keep the record going.”

The manager also gave a squad update for Sunday’s game, with Callum McGregor and Auston Trusty both available, but Liam Scales looks set to miss the match following the cheekbone injury he suffered against St Mirren last weekend.

Watch the manager’s full press conference

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Celtic Vs. Hibernian - Sun, Mar 9th 2025, 15:00 Final score: 2 - 0 Match Report