BRENDAN RODGERS believes Celtic hold a psychological edge over Rangers going into Sunday’s Betfred League Cup semi-final because of the convincing manner in which his side won the last derby.

That 5-1 scoreline, according to the Celtic manager, could have been even greater and that dominant performance will give the Scottish champions a clear advantage over an opposition who appear at the moment to be some way behind their rivals.

Celtic captain Scott Brown claimed this week that, with the absence of Joey Barton, Rangers will be a tougher proposition than in their last meeting, but his manager was clearly full of confidence that his players can once again prove themselves to be far a superior side.

“From our perspective, we’re focusing on it being another game, but when you play as well as we did in that game, it helps psychologically," Rodgers said. "When you’ve scored five and you could have had more and play the we did, then you know that you can beat the team well.

“It doesn’t necessarily make it any easier but you know that you’ve done it. But it’s a different game, a semi-final. We know that if we play as well again we’ll have a great chance of getting through to the final.

“I expect it to be a tight game and you prepare for it to be that way. Fundamentally you have to be super-organised in terms of how you defend, and then we know we have the game and we have the players that can really hurt the opponent.

“Time will tell [if Rangers have improved]. I can only judge them on the last time we played against them and we played very well. They’ve obviously got one or two changes now within the team. When you win the way we did in the last game it creates a big motivation for the opponents for it not to happen again, but both teams will go into the game looking to get the victory.

“It’s on a neutral ground but when I’ve seen it on the television the pitch always looks really good. It’s a good size, which suits us really well in terms of the speed in the team and how we want to play.”

Rodgers was asked whether Celtic were as far ahead of Rangers as the 5-1 scoreline suggested but while he offered a diplomatic answer, the Northern Irishman obviously believes his team have the clear upper hand.

He said: “That’s not for me to say – that’s for you to write or those who are watching to decide. We can only win the game as we do and how the measure is not a worry for me. If we win 1-0, I’d be happy.”

Rodgers does not expect any major surprises from Mark Warburton come Sunday afternoon.

He said: “Mark was probably disappointed about how they played, simple as that. I know he spoke in the game about being brave and getting on the ball but I think he is very clear how he has asked his team to play since he has been at Rangers.

"I don’t expect it to change too much. There might be one or two personnel changes because of injuries and what-not, but you always prepare for the 'What-if?'”

Rodgers has noticed a less intense build-up to this match compared to the last one, the Champions League game in midweek certainly contributed to that, which has suited him fine.

He did enjoy his first experience of the fixture but then he was hardly going to find a downside after giving Rangers such a bloody nose a few months into his reign.

Rodger said: “When you win, of course, the experience is great. To have the first Celtic-Rangers game at home and to win 5-1 is a dream really in terms of your team. But I was more pleased with the performance and how the team played and how they performed in the game.

“As a consequence of that everyone was happy but it was three points and allowed us to continue with the development of the team.”

The Scottish Cup semi-final last season went to a penalty shoot-out and this is a scenario Rodgers and his players are ready for.

Asked if his team had practised spot-kicks, he said: “Yes, we are prepared. We did some earlier in the week in training as well. As long as it doesn’t go to a 15-14 as it did once when we beat Middlesbrough in a Cup game. Either 16-15 or 15-14. We were getting bored after a while. It was unbelievable.”

Kolo Toure picked up a slight groin strain on Wednesday but should be fit to start the match.

Unlike predecessor Ronny Deila, Rodgers did not entertain talk of his Celtic completing a domestic clean sweep.

He said: It's very, very difficult to achieve. There have been great managers here in the past that haven't achieved that. But it's the first competition where we've a chance to win a trophy and I've always said that it's a priority for us because it's the first one.

"Our idea was to qualify for the Champions League, which we did, to make a good start in the league, which we've done, and then look to get to the League Cup final. Unless you can do that then you don't have the chance to win the trophies.”