Celtic's Anthony Stokes feels his side are an improved team after learning from mistakes made at the end of last season.
Striker believes Celtic have improved following mistakes last season
Celtic's Anthony Stokes feels his side are an improved team after learning from mistakes made at the end of last season.
The Bhoys capitulated towards the end of last year's campaign, losing to Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final as well as missing out on the league title to their Old Firm rivals.
Stokes believes his side are better equipped this time round, and is hoping Celtic can make amends at the 'business end' of the season, starting with Sunday's Scottish Communities League Cup final against Kilmarnock.
Different team
He said: "We are a different team this year, I think we are a better team. We have tried to learn from last season and we're trying to push ourselves even further.
"We didn't get over the line last year and lost in the final of this tournament. We want to rectify some of the mistakes of last year."
Celtic are currently 29 points ahead of second-placed Rangers in the Scottish Premier League and are still on course for a memorable treble, but Stokes feels it is important to remain focused.
"Every trophy is important to us," he added. "We take it as seriously as the league and the other cups. It's massive for us.
"It's the business end of the season. We've done really well so far but it could all count for nothing if we don't keep our high standards that we've set over the last few months."
Massive game
The former Sunderland striker has scored 20 goals this season but has often failed to make Neil Lennon's starting XI in the big games after missing out in last year's final loss to Rangers and not starting an Old Firm derby since October 2010.
He continued: "I'm not expecting to start at all - the gaffer changes it up quite a bit. He'll be putting out a team to win. Obviously I'd like to think I'd come into the equation.
"I just don't know to be honest. I just do as well as I possibly can in games and training and I just hope to get the nod. It would be frustrating not to start, but it's all about winning games."
