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Craig Gordon aims to mark Celtic century with victory over Rangers

Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon during a training session
Image: Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon during a training session this week

Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon hopes to celebrate his 100th appearance for the club with a victory over Rangers in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final.

The Hoops will be taking on a Rangers side buoyed by last weekend's Petrofac Training Cup final success, which followed their clinching of the Championship title.

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However, Gordon is determined not to let Celtic's old rivals spoil his day at Hampden Park.

The 33-year-old said on Celtic's official website: "It's a good one to bring up the 100th with. It's a good achievement to get to 100 already, as it's not even two seasons into my time here.

"I've played a lot of games here in a short space of time so it's something to be proud of, especially from where I've come from. I'm happy with that, but let's hope I can mark that occasion with a good result.

"That's what we're aiming for, and that's what I'd like to see at the end of it. Regardless of what game it is, you want to go to Hampden and win so it'd be nice to be able to look back on my 100th game and have a victory behind me."

Rangers are expected to give Celtic a far stiffer test than they did during a 2-0 defeat in last season's League Cup semi-finals.

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Former Celtic midfielder Murdo MacLeod believes his former club will be too strong for Rangers when the teams meet in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup

But Gordon said: "I don't think form matters. It's all about who plays on the day.

"We've been to Hampden and played in semi-finals and not got the right result we wanted over the last couple of years, so we know we have to go there and perform if we're to get the right result."

Celtic have lost to Ross County, Inverness, St Mirren, Hearts and Kilmarnock at Hampden in the past five seasons but Gordon insists he will cope with the pressure of the derby showdown, despite being sent off in last year's semi-final against Caley Thistle.

Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon is sent off by Steven McLean in last season's Scottish Cup semi-final
Image: Gordon was sent off in last season's Scottish Cup semi-final against Inverness

"You just enjoy it and don't think about it too much," the former Hearts and Sunderland player said. "It's a game of football and it's certainly one that we want to win.

"I enjoy the pressure that it brings and the derby aspect is something that, no matter what club you're playing for, is the biggest game, so I look forward to it and hopefully we can get another win."

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Luke Shanley looks ahead to the return of the Old Firm derby this weekend, as Rangers take on Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park

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