NEIL Lennon revealed preparations for this weekend’s League Cup final have gone well and said it was now down to the players to put on the kind of performance he knows can secure them the silverware.

After defeating Hamilton 2-1 at Paradise on Wednesday night, Celtic turned their attention to the defence of the League Cup this Sunday against Rangers. The Hoops are currently two points above the Ibrox side in the league and defeated Steven Gerrard’s side 2-0 when the two sides last met at Ibrox back in September.

Neil Lennon said the approach to tomorrow’s game would be similar but added that every derby tie is unpredictable in its outcome.

“You have to take the game in isolation and look at the game-management and the circumstance going into the game,” said the Celtic manager. “It’s important to start any game well. It’s important to get on the front foot and take the game to them.

“Once the players cross the white line it’ll be down to their experience, values and the principles of playing the game how we want them to.”

The current Hoops side will aim to become the first team to win four consecutive League Cups since Jock Stein’s Celtic side back in the 1960s, and they will be guided by a manager who knows what it takes to win cup finals as a player and as a boss.

And the Irishman insisted the outcome of the game will be decided by what his players do on the pitch during the 90 minutes.

“It’s for the team and the players,” he said. “The whole focus is on the team and the players to put on a performance that will get them over the line.

“I have experience, knowledge and the players are familiar with me now. They know how I work and what myself, John and Damien want. They know what the preparation's going to be like and how long the team talk’s going to be.

“The majority of the preparation will be done by today (Saturday) and they’ll be able to relax and focus on the game. They know how quickly things can change. They know the psychological side of it. We’ve tried to prepare them for that as well.”

Neil Lennon: Preparations are done and it's now up to the players