ANGE POSTECOGLOU is aiming to have the Final say as Celtic aim to complete an unforgettable campaign at Hampden on Saturday June 3.
The Scottish Cup was the one that got away in the Greek-Australian gaffer’s debut term in charge at Parkhead.
Postecoglou guided the team to a phenomenal Premiership success following a wretched season that saw Neil Lennon depart the club along with a host of players as the new man had to start afresh.
ANGE POSTECOGLOU GLEE…Celtic boss beams brightly in the aftermatch celebrations.
The former Australia World Cup chief set about his task with a verve and gusto that brought him his first silverware in the shape of the League Cup six months after his arrival on these shores.
Kyogo Furuhashi, a bargain £4.6million recruit from the J-League and one of the new boss’ first buys, netted a double against Hibs in the 2-1 victory in December 2021 and staged an action replay with a double salvo as the team lifted the trophy again in February this year with an identical scoreline against Michael Beale’s Ibrox side.
The Govan club succumbed again at the same venue yesterday when a 42nd-minute header from Filipe Jota did the trick.
The Premiership trophy is now back in focus and the crown can be secured when the team travel to the capital on Sunday to face Hearts at Tynecastle.
The treble will then be decided in the Scottish Cup showpiece against Championship Inverness Caley Thistle at the national stadium next month.
HAMPDEN HAPPY DAZE…Ange Postecoglou shares the joy with the celebrating Celtic supporters.
Postecoglou was beaming after the latest triumph and said: “I’m very pleased and proud of the group. I assume there will be some very happy people going home tonight.
“I don’t think anyone cares if it’s a Bank Holiday tomorrow – it would have been a holiday, anyway.
“I hope they enjoy it. They deserve to enjoy this as well and we’ve got a big month coming up where, hopefully, we can do something special that’s memorable to everybody.
“We had to earn it today and work hard and it’s just a testament to the progress of this group of players that they’re just not going to yield.
“It’s a credit to the group and they’ve embraced that part of it since I arrived that we want to be known as a team that scores goals and is exciting, but, above all, we want to be relentless in our approach.
LAP OF HONOUR…the Celtic players – including Alistair Johnston on crutches – take the applause of the supporters after booking their place in next month’s Scottish Cup Final.
“It’s not easy to do because you’re asking players to consistently put in an effort which requires not just the physical output, but the mental output and strength to do it – and the lads were tremendous in that department.”
However, on the flip side, Cameron Carter-Vickers’ season is over as he now faces knee surgery, as CQN reported yesterday.
Alistair Johnston, who hirpled off after an accidental second-half collision with Borna Barisic, could also be sidelined for a spell.
The injury setback, however, did not prevent the Canadian international right-back from taking part in the aftermatch celebrations, despite his right foot in a protective boot while he was on crutches.
Postecoglou, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “I saw the crutches flying about there, but it was a sore one and we will get it assessed.
SMILE, PLEASE, YOU’RE ON CAMERA…victor Ange Postecoglou and vanquished Michael Beale at full-time.
“That’s Cameron’s last game for us, as well. He needs to get his injury looked at now and again he was outstanding today.
“It’s a testament to the group because Anthony Ralston comes in having been out for quite a while, into a big game, and contributes and helps us to victory.
“We’ve given ourselves a chance and a very good chance. I’m really proud of the whole group’s progress, it’s been remarkable the way they’ve embraced every challenge.
“It’s not easy meeting the expectations of this football club, but, from my perspective, everything they’ve done to put us in this position has been outstanding.”
JOTA IS HEAD BHOY AS TREBLE BECKONS
