Celtic manager Ronny Deila is keen for his side to avoid a cup shock when they take on Ross County in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.
The Hoops are looking to achieve the domestic treble this season, and they will move a step closer to that target with a victory at Hampden Park against County.
The Bhoys are currently six points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership standings and they will take on non-league East Kilbride in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup in February, as they bid to achieve a first domestic treble since the 2000-2001 campaign.
The Hoops were denied a clean sweep of domestic honours last season when they were defeated in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup by Inverness, and Deila is all too aware of what can happen in a one-off cup tie.
He said: “The hard thing about the cup is that anything can happen in a one-off game that you could never predict, like a red card or a decision that goes against you. That’s what makes the cup so interesting and sometimes so very hard to experience.”
The Norwegian admits that the defeat to Caley Thistle is a driving force for his team this season, as they bid to avoid another shock on Sunday.
He added: “Losing the semi-final against Inverness does drive you on. It’s something that you want to make good again but you will always have moments like that in a football career, first as a player and now as a manager.”
Celtic are heavy favourites at 1.29 to win Sunday’s match, whilst County are on offer at 8.50 and the draw is priced at 5.25.
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