RODGERS IS BACK AT Millian BASE CHAMP

Hoops gaffer conquered Hampden hoodoo now he wants glory return to kickstart second spell

- MICHAEL GANNON

BRENDAN RODGERS admits it felt like there was a hoodoo around Hampden when he arrived for his first spell as Celtic boss.

Now the National Stadium feels like a home from home.

The Hoops boss is gearing up for his 10th visit to Mount Florida and having banished those south side sweats in the famous Invincible Treble campaign, he has yet to taste defeat on the hallowed turf.

Rodgers takes pride in the immaculate record and has no intention of surrendering it in today's lunchtime Scottish Cup semi showdown with Aberdeen.

Hampden has a special place in the Irishman's heart - but it didn't always feel that way.

When Rodgers rolled into town in the summer of 2016, the Old Lady hadn't always been kind to Celtic. There are cup wins in there but there had also been the Scottish Cup last four defeat to Mark Warburton's Rangers, the Inverness Caley Thistle loss, previous sore ones against Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Ross County.

The talk back then was Hampden being a problem place for the Hoops until Rodgers practically set up camp there.

The Parkhead gaffer said: "It's nice to know that (the record) and hopefully it continues.

"I just sensed a wee bit of trepidation around it when I first came in, with the players and even staff, from everything that had happened for the team there.

"I felt it leading into that first League Cup semi-final (a 1-0 win over Rangers). But if you're going to become winners then you have to start enjoying it.

"You enjoy it by playing well and winning. So that has always been my focus getting to these games - looking to perform.