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Daily Record
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Gabriel McKay

5 things we spotted at Celtic training as Scott Brown gears up for his last dance

There's no question it's the biggest game remaining in their season and Celtic were hard at work on Friday ahead of their Scottish Cup clash with Rangers.

Their stranglehold on the domestic game has been broken as St Johnstone lifted the league cup before their bitter rivals won the title, but the Parkhead club can still end the campaign with silverware.

Interim manager John Kennedy has challenged his squad to prove they're still the best in the land on their day, and the motivation couldn't be higher for Sunday's game.

On Friday he put the Celtic players through their paces ahead of the showdown, on a bright and sunny day.

Here are five things we spotted at Lennoxtown.

Brown's final fling

Scott Brown gears up for the Rangers cup tie (SNS Group)

His exit has already been decided but Scott Brown is not the kind of character to coast to the end of his Celtic career.

The midfielder has the chance to lift one last trophy as Parkhead captain and will be raring to go against Rangers.

Brown looked confident and relaxed in training at Lennoxtown - he's seen this all before, and will be fully prepared for his very own Last Dance.

Hard yards

Stephen Welsh during a Celtic training session at Lennoxtown (SNS Group)

There can be few better scenes for a training session on a sunny day than Lennoxtown.

With the Campsie Fells in the background it was a picturesque scene on Friday but there was no time to stop and admire the view.

Kennedy put his players, including new contract man Stephen Welsh, through a series of sprints as they geared up for the Rangers game.

All smiles for Christie

Ryan Christie during a Celtic training session at Lennoxtown (SNS Group)

If he's feeling the pressure ahead of a huge game on Sunday it didn't show for Ryan Christie.

The Scotland international was all smiles on Friday as he and his team-mates prepared for the make-or-break game.

Christie is out of contract at the end of next season and has been linked with a summer move, so this could well be a final trophy tilt for him too.

Ready Eddie

(SNS Group)

Once famed for his goals against Rangers, Odsonne Edouard hasn't found the back of the net in the derby this season.

The striker missed the first match with coronavirus and did bag an assist last time out but will be desperate to get back to scoring ways.

With the likes of Milan and Leicester thought to be interested in his services, bagging a goal in such a high-profile game could add a few figures to his price tag in the summer too.

Chance for Turnbull

David Turnbull (SNS Group)

Ryan Jack won't play at the weekend and the Rangers midfielder won't make Euro 2020 either - and that could present a chance for David Turnbull.

The youngster is yet to be capped by his country but Scotland boss Steve Clarke now has a midfield space to fill in his squad.

Turnbull wouldn't be a like-for-like replacement, with Scott McTominay more likely to play in that deep midfield role, but he'll be hopeful of getting his chance.

With Billy Gilmour and Ryan Gauld also knocking at the door, a good end to the season is essential.

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