It was only at the turn of the Millennium when the League Cup final changed from its usual slot in the first part of the season to a date at Hampden in February or March.

In 2016, the first piece of silverware of the season reverted back to its historic place in the calendar with Celtic lifting the trophy in November last season, however, due to the shutdown for the World Cup it means the League Cup is still all to play for in this campaign.

With the semi-final up next against Kilmarnock on Saturday, the winners will take their place in the showpiece event taking place in late February this year, meaning for Ange Postecoglou and his Celtic side, the second-half of this campaign leaves everything to play for.

Since returning from the World Cup, the Hoops have been emphatic and the manager is determined to continue the recent form and keep hold of the trophy by defeating Kilmarnock on Saturday evening.

Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, he said: “You take into account Champions League football and the fixture schedule, I see the real progression (in this team).

“We’re still evolving and getting stronger and post the break we’ve had some of our strongest performances, so that’s the pleasing aspect and we need to keep doing that until the end of the year.

“When you play at Hampden there’s always something on the line, playing there isn’t just another game it’s always a semi-final or a final.

'I just think it makes for a great occasion and certainly for us we look forward to it and for us to make it memorable we have to perform and win.'

Speaking on last season’s success in the League Cup, he said: “In the context of where we were on our journey, to win a trophy early certainly helped fast-track a lot of the things that I wanted to implement.

“When you win a major trophy in the first three months of your tenure it just garners belief in everything you’re doing and accelerates everyone’s learnings and they all want more of it.

“We’re talking about having success, it’s not something abstract, and you felt it as part of a group so certainly in the context of where we are now it was a very important part of our season.”

Manager: Aim is to retain the cup and we'll be up for the semi-final