LISBON LIONS TAUGHT US ALL WE HAD TO KNOW, SAYS ANGE

ANGE POSTECOGLOU insists Celtic don’t have to look at Rangers’ exploits this season as proof of what Scottish clubs can achieve in Europe. Asked about the Ibrox side’s run to the Europa League semi-final and whether it can inspire other Premiership outfits, the Australian preferred to look at his own club’s continental history. With a nod to the Lisbon Lions’ European Cup triumph of 1967, the Australian said ahead of tomorrow’s Old Firm clash at Parkhead: ‘Scottish clubs, including this one, have made their mark in Europe before. I don’t think we have learned anything new this year. ‘Rangers have done very well and Giovanni (van Bronckhorst) has done a great job in getting them to the semi-finals. I guess from their perspective they are still in the tie and they have an opportunity to get to a final, which is great. ‘But if you want evidence of how well Scottish clubs can do in Europe, there’s a trophy I can show you just down the road here, mate.’

Meanwhile, Postecoglou claims he was surprised to see any Celtic players being nominated for the Premiership’s Player of the Year award because they have been so strong collectively as a team. The Scottish Football Writers’ Association named Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers alongside Craig Gordon of Hearts and James Tavernier of Rangers on its four-man shortlist. McGregor and Tom Rogic were also named on the PFA Scotland list, while Liel Abada is in the running for PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year. But Postecoglou believes performances have been so strong across the board at Celtic that he expected votes cast for each player to effectively cut each other’s throats chasing individual awards. ‘If you ask what has been the most significant contribution this season, it’s been the collective,’ said Postecoglou who is on the shortlist for the SFWA and PFA Scotland’s Manager of the Year award. ‘I am surprised we got any nominations because I assume we would have had players all taking votes off each other.’