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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Matthew Fulton

Three things we spotted at Celtic training as Aaron Mooy on a mission and Kyogo ready for Rangers

Celtic are getting their preparations for a humungous League Cup final underway as the task at hand of Rangers beckons on Sunday.

Ange Postecoglou and his side have one hand on the trophy after securing the then Premier Sports Cup in December 2021 with an infamous win over Hibernian. The Hoops can make that retention a reality at the weekend but Michael Beale's men will be hoping to put a sting in the tale as they are unbeaten - not as long as Celtic - since the Englishman's arrival.

And it seems to be close to a full complement for Postecoglou for the big derby with players vying for the coveted spot in his starting eleven come Sunday afternoon. Glasgow Live Sport spotted a few key moments at Lennoxtown.

Mooy on a mission

The one question mark over Celtic's team in the build-up to the game would be the fitness of star man Aaron Mooy.

The Australian has had a purple patch in green and white of late and has been viewed by many as crucial to Sunday's game. The 32-year-old has had a taste of Hampden already but missed last weekend's clash with Aberdeen.

Aaron Mooy prepares to face Rangers (@CelticFC)

But Postecoglou confirmed the veteran IS ready to face Rangers and could bring a much-needed cool head to the fire of the derby. It will be music to the ears of Celtic fans to hear his name on the team-sheet.

Harty fellows

Joe Hart is an experienced cup final goalkeeper and will need to be on his toes on Sunday.

Much has been made recently of the 35-year-old's current form with some criticism coming his way for momentary lapses of judgement in games Celtic have dominated.

It could be a factor against Rangers with his opposite number in Allan McGregor also facing some questions over his performances this season and the possibility of Michael Beale including Jon McLaughlin in the starting eleven.

Joe Hart will face off with Rangers at Hampden (@CelticFC)

Nevertheless, Hart knows he has a solid defender in front of him in Cameron Carter-Vickers whose last few Old Firm showings have been talked about by many.

Let's Kyo-go!

A few weeks ago it seemed Kyogo's exclusion from the cup final could have caused Postecoglou a serious problem.

With the exit of Giorgos Giakoumakis meaning Celtic have one recognised centre-forward besides the Japanese - new boy Hyeon-gyu Oh - it could have been disaster stations if the 20-plus goal forward was injured.

But alas Kyogo is fit and firing for the game, even making an appearance off the bench against Aberdeen in a 4-0 triumph.

Kyogo passes injury test ahead of Rangers (@CelticFC)

Whether or not he is ready for 90 or potentially 120 minutes in the pressure-cooker of an Old Firm derby is another matter, but the Japanese did hit his first goal in the famous fixture last month and will be hoping to showcase more Hampden heroics.

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