For Celtic, a return to Hampden Park for the League Cup final in late February. This tournament is often derided as the poor relation of Scotland’s three main domestic competitions but it holds a special place in the heart of Ange Postecoglou. This marked the first trophy the Australian claimed as the Celtic manager. Without it, there is no chance of a much-coveted treble.
As Celtic celebrated, Kilmarnock were due high praise. They posed as much of a challenge to Postecoglou’s expensively assembled team as has been delivered by anyone in Scotland this season. Kilmarnock were tactically superb and provided attacking menace. There may be no consolation in being losing semi-finalists but onlookers could not fail to be impressed by the showing of the huge underdogs. Celtic had to scrap and scrape their way towards the final, where Aberdeen or Rangers lie in wait.
