Belief is key for Warbs

thrashed 5-1 at Celtic Park last month but the Englishman is adamant they will head into next Sunday’s League Cup semi-final with a far more positive mindset.

Warburton said: “The one thing I would change from our last game against Celtic is that we should play more on the front foot.

“We went into that game lacking a little bit of self-belief.

“Trying to bed new players in weakens that self-belief because you haven’t built it yet.

“There are a number of factors but what we have to do is go into games with confidence in our shape, our fitness, our style.”

Gers beat Celtic in their last semi, seeing off Ronny Deila’s Hoops on penalties in the Scottish Cup.

And Warburton said: “We went into that semi with absolute confidence in what we were going to do.

“Last month the midfield was Joey Barton, Niko Kranjcar, Josh Windass – three new players.

“Philippe Senderos was playing his first game other than 90 minutes in Linfield, Joe Garner was playing.

“We had half of a new team and maybe in hindsight there were too many changes.”

Warburton can’t wait to sample the red-hot atmosphere again and hopes his players also relish the occasion.

He said: “If you can’t be excited or ready for this challenge you shouldn’t be playing.

“You have to realise that it is a privilege to be involved in these types of fixtures.”