Celtic and Hibernian Prepare for League Cup Showdown

Celtic Park (Glasgow)

**Wed 5 Dec:** Celtic v Hibernian - League Cup semi-final

At Celtic, they prepare for a vital League Cup clash against Hibs on Sunday at Parkhead — the second weekend in succession the sides will have met if you include this week's defeat. Celtic ran out winners in last Sunday's scottish premiership at Easter Road and are targeting a repeat of that victory ahead of kick-off, with the match winner to be decided on the night.

Team Dynamics and Preparations

Manager Brendan Rodgers wants to avoid another early exit after last year's League Cup saw them knocked out at the semi-final stage. And as Rodgers sat back and watched how brutal the game could be at Rugby Park last August —- he is preparing to bend his plan to keep them in every domestic shoot-out they enter.

Celtic come into the spin with a weakening squad due to injuries, missing key players like Kyogo and Mikey Johnston through recent injures. Yet a debut may arrive right away if Rodgers hands full Bolton substitute Adam Idah, the new £9.5m arrival from Scunthorpe testing to go. A potential line-up would see a blend of old and new, with the likes of Callum McGregor and James Forrest set to play big parts.

Hibernian's Challenge

Hibs, meanwhile, are out to produce a much improved showing from the relatively subdued one they put up last time. Their performance against the reigning champions will be of great importance, as it could well define their season and show how likely they are to make any progress in the League Cup.

Match Officials and Broadcast Details

Kevin Clancy will be the man in-charge, and he will get help from Frank Connor and Steven Traynor. VAR Controller: Andrew Dallas (Responsible for all reviews of decision made on the field) Supporters unable to make the game in person can follow it live on Premier Sports, with coverage starting at 2.30pm ahead of a 3pm start time.

Players have taken part in promotional tours of the country to promote fan engagement and canvassing.

They are modernising to connect with the Celtic fanbase and have introduced a range of ventures, including Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery in support of the Celtic Youth Academy. These community-led endeavours are not only beneficial to endear the team but also show how dedicated club is in nurturing talent for the future.

Anticipated Outcomes

Celtic are be backed to continue their positive start domestically and progress through into the Last 8 of the League Cup. Football, however, possess a devil-may-care tendency and although Hibs are readily dismissed the moment they catch Celtic in any kind of complacent mood anything could happen.

With both teams preparing for their all-important knockout fixture, fans are promised to get nothing but competitiveness and an outcome that will either consolidate Celtic's supremacy or open the door wide on a brand-new challenger of Hibernian. The result of this game will be the gauge that quantifies what each football club hopes to achieve in domestic cup competitions for the rest of 2021.