Ange Postecoglou believes the 50/50 split at Hampden will add to the 'theatre' of the Old Firm showdown and create a 'real derby atmosphere'.
In recent times the home side out of Celtic and Rangers pretty much occupy the full stadium at either Parkhead of Ibrox with the travelling support handed a small section of tickets. But with the League Cup Final at the national stadium, the rivals will have an even split which the Hoops boss believes will really add something to the occasion.
The 57-year-old lifted the Viaplay Cup - known at that point as the Premier Sports Cup - last season as his first ever trophy at Celtic and he is eyeing up making it successive wins in the competition as he looks to bring an end to Michael Beale's unbeaten run as Rangers boss. On the ticket split at Hampden and if it creates a different vibe around the game, he said: "I think it does, yeah. It's a different atmosphere, it's a real derby atmosphere. Obviously when we play at Ibrox or Celtic Park, the atmosphere is very parochial in one way.
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"For the home team I think that's an advantage. We feel that when we play at Celtic Park, having 60,000 fans helps us. But in terms of a spectacle and a derby, having it split, particularly in a Cup Final, adds to the theatre of it. I think the players enjoy that because you get a bit of everything in there."
Asked if he sees the game as a big chance to add another trophy to his collection at Celtic, he added: "I treat every game as an opportunity, I say that to the players. Age and experience gives you wisdom, I know what it's like when your playing career ends, you miss it all.
"You miss training, you miss the bad days, the bad coaches, you'd have it all back. You don't just miss the big games or the big moments, you miss it all. That's what I try and tell the players every day. Don't waste a day, because one day it will all end and you don't want to look back and ask if you made the most of it.
"When I talk to them about trying to make every game the best game of their career, there is nothing that says that can't happen. Don't just use it as a game where you get the win and get it out of the way because you could be missing a little nugget of gold that will make it all worth it when it's all gone."
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