Postecoglou goes into cup as he does every competition: ultimately to win it
THERE is another opportunity in front of Celtic this afternoon as they take on a Raith Rovers side still reeling from their off-field scandal around the David Goodwillie affair.
Having claimed the first silverware on offer this season, Ange Postecoglou’s side are the only team who can conceivably win a domestic treble. If last season felt far removed from the triumphs that came on the back of a unique quadruple treble, this season already feels like redemption.
“Aside from the last three games, we’ve shown different sides to us this season as a team,” he said. “Against Dundee United recently, we scored in the last minute to win. That’s what I’ve been trying to emphasise to the players - it’s our resilience that has got us to this point, not just the brilliance of our football.”
Postecoglou’s countryman, Tom Rogic, claimed an iconic role in Celtic’s Invincible treble winning season in Brendan Rodgers’ first season at the club. A last-minute goal in monsoon Hampden conditions sparked wild celebrations from the generally unruffled midfielder with Postecoglou eager to make his own mark on the tournament.
“I can’t remember where I was in 2017 – I still had other things going on in my life!” joked the Celtic manager. “But no, I do remember that goal. Tommy has a magnificent legacy already at this club and he’s scored a lot of iconic goals like that one.
“That’s the beauty of cup finals, it’s why I’ve always loved them, because there’s always a story or an incident that comes out of it.
“It either takes a piece of magic or a calamity for the trophy to be won. That was one of those games. The Scottish Cup Final and FA Cup Final were always big events down under in terms of people watching those games.
“It’s one of those competitions that even from afar, the Scottish Cup Final is one I’ve watched from the other side of the world. “I’ve always known the significance of that event. So yeah, it’s another competition I want to be successful in. We have to be ready for the challenge today.”
When Postecoglou took Australia to the 2014 World Cup he did so believing he could win it. When the Greek-Australian resigned immediately after the Socceroos claimed a place at the 2018 tournament he did so because the vibe he had was that too many within the association felt that qualification was the pinnacle of their ambition.
It is of little surprise, then, that when Postecoglou looks ahead to this week’s game against Norwegian side Bodo/ Glimt in the inaugural Europa Conference League that his plans are not for the short-term.
“I want to go deep in every competition. I’ve never entered anything without thinking about trying to be successful in it,” he said. “I took Australia to a World Cup and thought I could win it. I know people will say I’m being ridiculous but that’s just the way I’m made up.
“You go into something and do your utmost to be successful so that’s what we’ll do in Europe. Why give up that opportunity if it exists?
“A win in Europe is always significant no matter who you play against. They don’t come along that often – you have to fight to earn all of them. So I’m not discounting this competition. I want us to perform well in it and win because it adds to the prestige and story of this football club.”
Meanwhile, John McGlynn accepts that his Raith Rovers side face an uphill struggle at Parkhead this afternoon after watching Ange Postecoglou reinforce his squad in the January transfer window.
The two sides met earlier this season in the quarter
finals of the Premier Sports Cup, with Celtic recording a 3-0 win. Since that match in late September, they haven’t lost a single Premiership game.
McGlynn reckons that the players are becoming more accustomed to Postecoglou’s style of play as the season progresses and the GreekAustralian is reaping the rewards. Add to that the likes of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Matt O’Riley – three new arrivals who have bedded in instantly – and it isn’t hard to see why the Raith manager considers today’s opponents to be the best in Scotland.
“They have made some great signings,” said McGlynn. “They have made some tremendous signings. Ange has got that Japanese market and he’s used it incredibly well.
“To get the kind of players in on the money have spent, not a lot. Celtic fans won’t enjoy me saying this but these guys are going to go for big money very shortly because they are so good.
“They have opened up a number of people’s eyes who will probably try and do the same thing because these guys are top-class players.
“They are doing the exact same things as they did earlier in the season but they are doing it even better. They are doing the same things everywhere they go. They don’t change.”
As well as the talent within the ranks of the opposition, McGlynn also has today’s pitch to contend with. The surface at Celtic Park is large and pristine – something that only enhances Postecoglou’s team, according to the Rovers boss – and he believes there have been subtle changes to the way Celtic play during their recent away fixtures.
“It’s more difficult [for Raith] at Celtic Park because there’s a perfect surface and a big pitch,” he added.
“It’s a little bit more difficult [for Celtic] going to Motherwell. It’s good but it’s not as good as Celtic’s Park and it’s not as big.
“Pittodrie in the wind should be a leveller to some extent but they were well ahead. Aberdeen changed things, changed their formation and got close to Celtic and made it difficult and made it 2-2.
“I’m sure Giovanni van Bronckhorst when he goes to Celtic Park has a plan to stop them. You can have a plan but it’s still a big task to stop them.”