Brendan Rodgers does not wish to speak of a Treble, but it is the word that goes hand-in-hand wherever he goes now.

But as the Parkhead side gear up for their William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon, Rodgers is content to look no further than the squad in front of him. A squad that he trusts to deliver the result that would take Celtic within one game of replicating a feat that was last achieved in 2001.

“To arrive into the game, and this was a point I said a few weeks back, we wanted to arrive into this game at optimum level and that meant availability, confidence and the nature of our game,” said the Celtic manager. “And that’s what we do.

“We can’t be any more prepared, we can’t have any more players available and we’re ready.

“Are we ready? We’ve been ready since the first game, so no change for us. We expect a tough game and we’ve all seen these games over the years.

“Whatever the form has been of the teams doesn’t matter, you still have to perform and my players have shown many times this season, in pressure moments and pressure games that they can deal with that. It’ll still be very tough games, an exciting game, I’m sure, but one we want to come through.”

It was another contentious decision that dominated the end of that game with those of a Celtic hue irked at the decision not to give a penalty from a Clint Hill infringement on Leigh Griffiths inside the box. Rodgers, though, was reluctant to pinpoint that as a reason for losing the game.

“We always take our own responsibility,” insisted Rodgers. “We didn’t play so well, but should have won.

“We were up in the game and didn’t quite react to the second-phase of a free-kick late on. We had an opportunity to win it, but it’s okay. We can’t be perfect. We’ve had a good preparation into it, players are available and all are focused on it.”

Facing up to Rangers has come around as regularly as the rain in Glasgow this season; the team will joust now for a place in the final but it is the fifth time they have squared up to one another this term.

Despite the regularity of the fixture, it is not an occasion that has been diluted in the eyes of the Celtic manager. And while Rangers will have reaped encouragement from the last league meeting between the teams at Celtic Park which finished in a 1-1 stalemate despite a slaughter being predicted beforehand, Rodgers too has drawn a certain comfort from that.

“We take great strength from the fact that we didn’t play so well, Rangers probably played as well as what they’ll play, and we still drew the game,” he said.

“I said at the time, it was a wee reminder, really.

“That we need to be playing well and performing well.

“Sometimes you can perform well and lose a game and I will always take that.

“This is a different game coming at a different moment.

“The passion of this game is the best. The intensity, into everything. Especially into a fifth game. Sometimes other teams may come along and you play five or six times a season, but every one of these games are special.

“I’ve been very lucky in my career to be involved in huge games, derby games, high-profile games. But probably none better than this. It’s an amazing atmosphere, incredible.

“It’s an incredible high you get and we hope to continue that.”

Rodgers and his counterpart Pedro Caixinha met at Fir Park on Thursday night when they oversaw the under-17 clash which Celtic emerged victorious from.

The Rangers boss has already predicted the Hoops team which clearly ticked Rodgers.

“He’s coming into an interesting Scottish football league,” said the Celtic manager. “He’s looked to put his stamp on it – let’s see if he gets my team right.

“I said to him it’s a great job but he knows what Celtic’s about because he worked for the club for three years.

“I’m sure he’s a football guy and a passionate guy and he’ll look forward to the game at the weekend.”

Rodgers was in relaxed mood ahead of the game, a calmness perhaps drawn from the results that his squad have garnered this season. Excusing a blip against Gibraltar Red Imps and a mauling in the Nou Camp, this is a Celtic team that have reliably stood up when the occasion has demanded it.

“The players have been absolutely magnificent,” enthused Rodgers. “The way they’ve approached games, their appetite to learn and to work.

“There have been so many measures and landmarks along the way. Any wee set-backs that they’ve had which have been in the Champions League, they’ve bounced straight back and performed.

“They are hungry succeed. That’s what we’ve tried to really focus on this year – that relentless quest to improve and be better and to win.

“This is another opportunity for us to achieve in the Scottish Cup in a way we set out at the beginning of the season.”