Scott Bain knows he has played at Hampden before.

He just can’t remember much about it.

The Celtic keeper played at the national stadium during his time at Alloa as the then Third Division side beat Queen’s Park in front of “50 people or something” but he is certain that this weekend will be a little more memorable.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers made the unusual step this week of revealing that Bain will definitely start the Betfred League Cup final against Aberdeen on Sunday given that his agreement with the keeper at the start of the season that he would play in all of the Cup games.

And the 27-year-old’s journey from part-time lower league player to a trusted member of the dominant team in the country will be complete.

“I can’t remember the score but we must have won because we battered everyone in that third division. It was just people’s families there. It’ll be good. I have had the best preparation to play at Hampden because I have played at Ibrox, I have played at Parkhead, Murrayfield. I am looking forward to the atmosphere and the game but we have a big game on Thursday.”

And Bain believes that the decision to stick with him for the final with the regular incumbent of the number one shirt, Craig Gordon, benched, offers an indication that Rodgers’ keeps his promises.

“I’ve had brief chats with the manager about the situation,” he said.

“It’s good that he’s shown faith in me to play in the cup games until now so to go another step and play in the final is great.

It’s a real boost for me that he’s got that belief in me.

“We had a brief conversation last season about me playing in the cups and the manager has always been a man of his word.

“Because of that I thought I would play and feel I’ve played well in the games I have played – so I think he’s been happy with me.”

Bain was thrown in at the deep end when he first arrived at Celtic to cover an injury to Craig Gordon. The keeper made his debut for the club at Ibrox, a game that the stopper described then as the biggest win of his career.

It is likely that he will eclipse that should Celtic prevail against Aberdeen on Sunday afternoon but the laidback keeper isn’t likely to get too anxious ahead of the first showcase day of the season.

“All I can do is keep proving myself to myself, the gaffer and my team-mates and show I can come in and play at this level when I’m needed,” said Bain.

“The fact I’ve played a game every three or four weeks hasn’t really affected me.

“I definitely feel I’ve become a better goalkeeper here – I’ve played that many games now that I know what it takes to play a game of football.

“Everyone is here to make me improve and I feel I have done. Being put in the situation of not playing to playing has also helped me mentally.

“I’m 27 now so if I can get another good few years at this club I’ll just keep steadily improving. I’ve not really thought about Sunday yet.

“We have a big European game first and I think it’s good that we have this distraction as it’s a massive game we need to focus on.”

The relentless nature of Celtic’s schedule has underlined to Bain just how demanding it is to compete at the top level and the keeper admitted that he was taken aback by that in his early days at the club.

“I don’t think I realised the magnitude of Celtic football until I came here,” he admitted.

“It’s not until you’re in it.

“I’ve really just tried to enjoy myself. That’s probably stood me in the best stead possible. I’ve just enjoyed playing in the games when I’ve been picked.

“I’ve enjoyed being around the lads and enjoyed learning and improving. Mentality wise, it’s been quite easy because I’ve just been having a good time.

“I can see how some players could be overawed by a club of this size. I can see how people would get swallowed up by it but I have just tried to enjoy myself.”

Released by former Scotland manager Craig Brown when he was trying to forge a professional career in the game at Aberdeen, Bain has attributed his circular journey to get to where he is now as the best thing that could have happened to him.

Combing a labouring job with part-time football has enabled him to appreciate the position he currently enjoys and to make the most of it.

“I didn’t see it coming. I think at the time I thought, ‘oh, I’ll get another deal here easy…’but like I say it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said “I had a great time there and learned a lot. It was the best thing that ever happened to me [being released].

“It was lucky that Paul Hartley was leaving Aberdeen and getting the Alloa job at the exact time I was released. He obviously took me straight away and that gave me an in to playing games and enjoying it again. Everything happens for a reason and you make the best of the situation that you are put in. I worked hard. It was long days and long nights but it is all worth it now.”