The League Cup “means everything” to Brendan Rodgers as the Celtic manager eyes a return to Hampden by getting the better off old pal John McGlynn.
Celtic fell at the first hurdle last season, but welcome Championship leaders Falkirk on Sunday in the quarter-finals.
The first trophy Rodgers won during his initial Celtic spell was the League Cup, and therefore the “competition is important” to the Northern Irishman.
“We will be going all-out on Sunday to get to the semi-finals,” he said.
Standing in his way of returning to Hampden – a place he has “always loved” – is McGlynn, who work as an analyst on Rodgers’ staff after joining the club in 2015 when Ronny Deila was in charge.
The Bairns boss, whose newly-promoted side top the Championship, was full of praise for his former manager, calling him a “genius” in the build-up to Sunday’s showdown.
In response, Rodgers said: “Don’t use that word! When that gets said, that’s when everyone chases you even more, I don’t need that!
“When I came into here, we brought in a structure and a way of working and a mentality that he was a part of. He saw it first hand and he was in it, he knows how I work and the levels that I go to.
“John always went the extra mile for me. He knew there was a big demand with the job here and what I wanted, he was a real team player.
“I’m more comfortable talking about him and his achievements, he’s done fantastic. I’m delighted for him and he’ll have a great season… just not at the weekend.”