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Ben Banks

Celtic news latest as Hatate dishes out English advice and McGregor looks to maintain dominant Hampden record

Cup final talk is all heading towards a crescendo and soon it will be time for Celtic to face the music.

The Hoops are defending their League Cup crown on Sunday when rivals Rangers meet them in the Viaplay Cup final at Hampden Park. Ange Postecoglou's side have been relentless in the Premiership and are yet to lose a domestic match this term, but one of their two draws were against Michael Beale's Light Blues, so they know they are in for a battle.

There's been a humble approach to their thoughts on the contest and talking will soon be done on a Hampden turf which should be in better condition than what both sides found it in last month on semi-final duty. There have been headlines aplenty in the build-up and with 24 hours to go, here is Record Sport's round-up of all the big news surrounding Celtic Park.

Simple talk

Midfielder Reo Hatate has revealed he's been able to communicate in English with his teammates on the park. The Japanese star and his countryman have all used translators during their time so far in Glasgow but the playmaker says he's picked up enough to keep up to speed with his peers.

He said in a fans question and answer session: "Even if our team scores, the fact will soon become past events, so I try to have conversations that will make our team's play better. I try to convey to my teammates as concisely as possible using simple English I learned. We don't have enough time to talk during the game, so I try to convey rapidly my teammates what the whole team felt needed to improve."

Clinical Calmac

If there's such a thing as a Hampden specialist, that man is captain Callum McGregor. The midfielder knows all about big matches at the national stadium and from his days in the youth academy at Lennoxtown, he has played in 13 finals. Ahead of the 14th, McGregor takes with him an eye-popping 100% record and he will back himself to carry that on into Sunday's derby.

(Getty Images)

European red flag

Former Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has mentioned Celtic in a rage against the UEFA machine currently ruling over European football. Talk of a continental Super League has never gone away and amid the backdrop of that, the ex-Turin powerbroker says it's clubs like Celtic who will miss out.

Giakoumakis frustration

The Greek striker left Parkhead earlier this month but he's set to have a frustrating time to his stint in Atlanta. Giorgos Giakoumakis is still waiting on red tape being cleared to allow him to make his MLS debut, with his new club confirming their opener isn't one he will be available for.

Dinner dilemma

Cameron Carter-Vickers says he's going to have no problem getting stuck in about USA teammates Malik Tillman and James Sands if he gets tthe chance to on League Cup duty.

There was an awkward dinner when they met up with then America boss Gregg Berhalter after Celtic's thumping 4-0 win over Rangers in September but that won't put him off his victory appetite.

Sutton's verdict

Our man has had his say on the one everybody's talking. Fashion Sakala made numerous headlines this week by calling Celtic 'the other mob' and it hasn't been lost on Chris Sutton, who doesn't think it's in great taste.

He is 'sure there were even sensible Rangers fans who would have groaned at some of his comments.'

(SNS Group)

The missing ingredient

Strong discipline will be a key factor in Celtic's Hampden game plan according to Postecoglou. There's been seven derby encounters for the Australian since his arrival on Scottish shores.

This fixture has a habit of getting fiery and sometimes hot-tempered but there's been no red card offences on either side in that time. And for the creator of Angeball, he wants that remaining the case.

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