Jozo begs Bren not to leave him out at Hampden

stopper has been wrapped in cotton wool since his comeback from an eightmonth injury lay- off, with Rodgers reluctant to play him more than once a week to protect his knee.

But after finally making his Champions League debut for the club against Barcelona on Wednesday night, 15 months on from signing, the 22- year- old wants the shackles removed.

He said: “I feel strong for the cup final. I understand why the manager has taken me out of the team at times but I am ready now to go in this game.

“I have been training normally with the team. There are a lot of matches and you have to be careful, but that’s normal.

“It’s been case of building myself week after week.

“We have a tight schedule now with so many games in December but then we have the break in January and it will be easier. But there is nothing to worry about now. The gaffer just wanted to give me some rest.

“I have told the boss that I am ready to play in every game though.

“We speak all the time and we always decide things together.”

Simunovic won three league titles, a Croatian Cup and Croatian Super Cup with Dinamo Zagreb but he has his sights set high in Scotland.

He sees no reason why he can’t pick up three bits of silverware in a season here.

He said: “I have won a lot of trophies before but there is no doubt when you play a match for a trophy it is special and it is something I really want on Sunday.

“The target was always to win all three trophies this season but it would amazing to start with this one.”