GREG TAYLOR insists there is no point in Celtic players worrying about the links between Ange Postecoglou and Spurs.
Reports have been ramped up over the weekend since the Hoops boss went to the top of the bookies’ list – ahead of former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique – to take over from Antonio Conte who was sacked by the London club in March.
However, Scotland international left-back Taylor is adamant neither he nor his team-mates can allow the fear of their award-winning gaffer being lured elsewhere to interrupt their preparations for Saturday night’s Scottish Cup Final against Inverness Caley Thistle with a treble on the line.
JUST CHAMPION…Ange Postecoglou proudly holds aloft the Premiership silverware – for the second successive season.
The revitalised defender said: “We have tunnel vision. There’s no point getting nervous about things like that, because it’s outwith my control.
“I suppose it’s inevitable there will be interest. That’s just what happens when someone does well at anything in life.
“Whether that’s trophies, individual honours or links to wherever it is, we understand that’s part of the life of a footballer and a football manager.
“We just do our job on the pitch. We focus on every game and at a club this size you can’t look anywhere else.
“I’m just trying to play a small role in the team and bring success to a club that demands and deserves success.”
CROWNING GLORY…Greg Taylor and his title-winning Celtic team-mates after the medal presenation following the 5-0 win over Aberdeen.
Postecoglou’s situation had intensified the previous week when the club’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond had been spotted at Parkhead chatting to the Greek-Australian boss who took over from Neil Lennon in June 2021 and completely overhauled the squad on the way to a remarkable Premiership success.
The billionaire Irishman made no secret of his visit to Glasgow and, in fact, sat between chairman Peter Lawwell and chief executive Michael Nicholson in the directors’ box for the 2-2 draw against St Mirren two weekends ago.
Postecoglou was also seen on the pitch on Saturday alongside his agent Frank Trimboli during the aftermatch celebrations following the silverware presentation at the end of the 5-0 win over Aberdeen on Flag Day.
The rumour-mongers are having a field day, but Taylor emphasises the players’ aims are solely directed at winning at Hampden in five days’ time – and they will approach their Championship opponents as they would Real Madrid in the Champions League.
YIPPEE…Kyogo Furuhashi leads the joy Bhoys as he lifts the Premiership trophy with his fellow-champions joining in the celebrations.
There may be a few onlookers who might say: “It’s only Inverness.” But the 25-year-old back-four operator and his colleagues are not among them.
Taylor, speaking to The Scotsman, added: “I don’t think anyone in this building associated with the first team would utter those words.
“We know Inverness will be raring to go, it’s a Cup Final and you only get the opportunity on the day.
“We’ve treated every game the same way all throughout the season – we prepare for the next one and that’s what we’ll do for the Final.
“We’ve been big on focusing on ourselves. We know if we reach a good level of performance it’ll usually stand us in good stead in most games.
“Again, we’ll try to reach the levels we can, similar to what we did on Saturday.”
