CUP GLORY JUST FIRST STEP IN ANGE’S CELTIC MISSION
With “part one” of his job completed, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is already eyeing further success in his bid to restore the Hoops to the top of Scottish football.
Postecoglou won his first trophy as Celtic boss on Monday morning (AEDT), with a double from Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi securing the Hoops a 2-1 Scottish League Cup final win over Hibernian.
With his side trailing 1-0 following a 50th-minute goal from Hibs captain Paul Hanlon, Furuhashi – who carried a hamstring injury into the final at Hampden Park – struck twice in the second half. His 71st-minute winner was set up by Socceroos playmaker Tom Rogic, whose quick free kick caught Hibs unaware.
Furuhashi lobbed advancing goalkeeper Matt Macey with a sublime finish.
Postecoglou said the League Cup win was just the “start” of his task at Celtic, who hired the former Socceroos coach in June following a 2020-21 season devoid of silverware.
“When I took over I knew after the last year that this club couldn’t wait another year for success – it had to happen right away,” Postecoglou told Celtic TV.
“This is part one and we still have a lot of growth, but if we keep showing the same sort of resilience then we can do it.”
To truly “do it”, Celtic needs to regain the Scottish premiership title from Rangers. Aiming for 10 successive championships last season. Celtic finished second, a massive 25 points behind its Glasgow rival.
The Hoops are in second place on the ladder, seven points adrift of Rangers, but have a game in hand.
“The fans are everything – I wanted to give them hope,” Postecoglou said.
“I can’t guarantee success, but I wanted to give them hope. I’m just so proud of this group of players … we just want to keep going.”