Last season the League Cup Final was a bittersweet experience for Gary Mackay-Steven.

Cup-tied as Celtic beat Dundee United at Hampden, the winger took in the game from the confines of the stand, uncertain of his standing among his new team-mates and with a pang of sympathy for his former colleagues – whom he had helped get to the National Stadium.

Such was the alacrity with which Celtic moved to bring in Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong from Tannadice on the final day of the transfer window last season that the Thurso-born player took in the Old Firm semi-final on the first day of February from the comfort of his couch.

Having played with United the day before and booked their passage to the final, Mackay-Steven watched Celtic triumph over Rangers believing that he would be lining up against the Hoops for the final. Twenty four hours after that game had finished and he was a Celtic player and cup-tied.

“It was very strange,” said Mackay-Steven. “Obviously, the joy of winning the semi-final and reaching a final with Dundee United was great. But then moving to Celtic was what I wanted and that was great as well.

“However, I didn’t really think that the two clubs would face each other in a final and that I’d sit out the day.

“I was happy that Celtic ended up winning and that point it was the first leg of the treble which was the main goal.

“I think I probably rather not have been there because at the end you don’t really know how to react.

“It was nice being in the changing room with my new team-mates and celebrating.

"But then I felt for the Dundee United boys because they’d done so well to get to the final. It was strange - but hopefully this year it’s a lot different.

“I didn’t go into the United dressing room because I didn’t think it would’ve been right. I spoke to a few of the boys a few days after, but at the time I thought it was best for me to stay clear, that it wasn’t the time.”

This time around he hopes it will be different.

Yet even then there will be an element of regret should Celtic realise their ambition of putting Ross County to the sword at Hampden on Sunday.

Celtic’s semi-final opponents are where it all began for Mackay-Steven as a kid, when he played for the Highlanders before landing the dream switch to Anfield.

“Ross County was the closest professional club to Thurso, even though it was 100 miles away,” he explained. “Growing up in my county and playing for Caithness United, it was Ross County that if you were doing well you would go to for a trial. I played with them from under-14s.

“It was a big link just because it was the closest.

“I had one leg break and one bad ankle ligament injury. It was not just me, it was the physios at Ross County who were great with me throughout growing up and I still look out for their results. Scott Leitch and then Derek Adams for a short period were the managers when I was there.

“Ever since I have known them, they have played football. They have gone up and they don’t look to kick it long. They play good football and it is not all that surprising that they have grown and grown as the seasons have gone by and they are now firmly established in the league.

“Ross County was the first club I had played for so I was delighted for them when they beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final in 2010 but hopefully that is the last time they beat Celtic!”

Mackay-Steven has also insisted that he is unruffled by the club’s current interest in 18-year-old Patrick Roberts. The Manchester City player has been courted by Celtic on a long term loan-deal but Mackay-Steven believes competition for places is simply part and parcel of life at Celtic.

“It doesn’t really bother me at all when new signings are coming in,” he shrugged. “You expect that at a club like Celtic.

“You know the club’s going to be linked with players all the time in every position and the better the calibre of player coming in the better for all of us.

“So it keeps you on your toes but it’s not something that you dwell on.

“You just sort yourself out in training and make sure you are as ready as can be when called upon.”

Like his team, Mackay-Steven has found a little bit of momentum going into the semi-final but he is wary of taking his place for granted.

“I think it’s just about working hard when you’re not in the team here,” he said. “There’s a lot of competition for places here. But it’s simple, you need to work hard in training and whey you get a chance in the team look to take it.

“You have to be patient and when you get your chance look to take it.

“I was always confident it wouldn’t be too long before I’d be back in. It was just about playing as well as I can and giving everything I had when I got the nod.”