Celtic full-back Mikael Lustig is hoping he can play his way into contention for the League Cup semi-final with another star showing against Ross County today.

Lustig, who had been sidelined since November with a hamstring injury, made his comeback for the Hoops in the SPFL Premiership match with Motherwell on Wednesday night.

Despite not playing in over two months, the Swedish internationalist netted a second half double in an emphatic 4-0 win over the struggling Steelmen.

And the 28-year-old defender nearly netted his first perfect hat-trick as a professional footballer at Parkhead - but his shot was denied by the woodwork.

Now Lustig is hoping to do well in the meeting with bottom-placed County at the Global Energy Stadium - and book a place in the Celtic side for the game against Rangers at Hampden.

He said: "I am quite tight and stiff after playing 45 minutes the other night.

"I don't think I am ready for 90 minutes yet. But special games are coming up and you always want to be part of it.

"You can play your way into the Rangers game by doing well against Ross County.

"The League Cup semi-final is a really big game and we all want to play in it.

"First we need to take three points against Ross County. The last time against them we didn't manage to score a goal. If we want to win the league we need three points."

Lustig added: "But I haven't played against Rangers. I was at a couple of the games, sitting in the stands at Ibrox and Celtic Park.

"I was injured for the home game and I was in the squad at Ibrox.

"The occasion was unlike anything I had experienced. The atmosphere was brilliant.

"We've not had it now for a while. I've been here three years now and haven't played in one.

"But I always knew I wanted to be at Celtic for a long time and I knew I would play them at some point.

"It's been three years now and I am ready for it."