“At the start it was all trouble now it’s all treble! The important thing is we’re still in the competition and at this stage of the season we’ve given ourselves an opportunity for success,” Ange Postecoglou said last night after the 3-0 win at Tannadice against Dundee United which set up a Scottish Cup semi-final against theRangers.

The T word that that is now on the hacks minds is TREBLE and Ange was right to point out they were all only too happy to predict TROUBLE for the new Celtic boss after his appointment.

We’re grateful to Robbi Paterson on the Celtic Spare Tickets & Stuff on Facebook for reminding us of this from the former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan shortly after news broke that Ange Postecoglou would be the new Celtic Manager.

June 8, 2021, three days before Ange was appointed Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan’s words are ringing so true today. Nobody called it quite like wee Gordon.

Talksport: Gordon Strachan has urged pundits to look into Ange Postecoglou’s successful career before criticising Celtic’s appointment.

“Everybody is over reacting as usual,” Strachan said. “The fact is that Ange, who’s coming in, if you actually look at what he does and the people who have worked with him, you’re talking about a top manager here.

“There’s no point in asking pundits because they’ve never watched him play, they’ve never seen his training, they’ve never seen his teams, they’ve never spoke to his players. Ask the players who have worked with a coach what he’s like, then you’ll find the truth.

“I think that Celtic people are excited about this.

“I’ve always said, if you ever get the chance to be Celtic manager, take it. When the crowds get back, you’re getting some of the best nights in European football. It doesn’t get any better.
“I’m sure he’ll be a success. I’m excited to get somebody who’s outside the box, and not just a name that we regularly see.

“I want to see new people in front of a camera, I want to see new training methods – and I think that’s what we’re going to get.”

Ange Postecoglou Unveiling – Photo Jeff Holmes

19th December 2021; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish League Cup final, Hibernian versus Celtic: Celtic Manager Angelos Postecoglou celebrates with the trophy

Aye Trouble not Treble right enough, back to what Ange was saying last night. “That’s the expectation here on me and everyone at the club. The players need to embrace that. We can’t think just because we’ve won a trophy already it’s going to be a good season.”

🍀 @CelticFC manager Ange Postecoglou reacts to drawing Rangers in the semi-final, and gives his verdict on tonight’s performance against Dundee United

🗣️ “We’re in the semi-finals and we’ve got Rangers, so yeah…on we go.” 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/WuTL29cOoF

— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) March 14, 2022

Asked about the Scottish Cup semi-final draw against theRangers: “Mate, they’re just games of football you need to win. The most important thing is we’re putting ourselves in a position where those games mean something. We focus on the next challenge and don’t look too far ahead.

“We are in it and that’s the main thing. The prize was a semi-final at Hampden. We’ve been there already and it should be a cracking atmosphere. I’m looking forward to it.

“Particularly at this end of the season we’ve given ourselves a chance. It should also help with the confidence.”

On what turned out to be a comfortable win, Joe Hart didn’t have a save to make, Ange was pleased with the way things went at Tannadice. “Cup football always has a bit of an edge to it. I thought we controlled the game from start to finish. It wasn’t an easy one with the pitch the way it was. At times in the transition we were fighting for the ball.”