Scottish League Cup: Celtic & Aberdeen meet in semi-finals

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expects competition from a resurgent Aberdeen will inspire his own side to improve as the two unbeaten sides go head-to-head at Hampden.

Jimmy Thelin’s side travel to Glasgow for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final clash on the back of a 2-1 win over Rangers in the Premiership, having previously drawn 2-2 with Celtic last month.

Both sides remain unbeaten in domestic competition, and Rodgers believes an in-form Aberdeen will help push Celtic to continue improving.

“I think it’s brilliant,” he said ahead of Saturday’s semi-final. “Whether it is football, or whether it is business, any competition is healthy and it’s what makes you better.

“You will always drive your own standards and your own standard of performance, absolutely. But competition is really, really healthy and can keep moving you forward.

“Aberdeen are up there fighting as well, and everyone will expect Rangers to be there at some point. There will be other teams, big clubs from Edinburgh will feel they want to be up there challenging as well.