Enjoy the moment, it could be the start of something special

Enjoy the moment, it could be the start of something special. And stay safe, it’s getting mental out there…

Anthony Ralston of Celtic celebrates towards the fans after his goal late into injury time secures the 3 points

I’m not sure many of us expected Celtic to be competing for the first domestic trophy of the season. That we are is down to the incredible work Ange Postecoglou has done thus far in rebuilding a first team squad, initially bereft of belief and numbers and with others having their heads out the door and desperate for their feet to follow, and who soon got their wish.

Most of us would have expected a season of transition, rebuilding, and a certain amount of sacrifice to ensure the club got back to having a competitive team again. One such sacrifice was likely to have been the League Cup.

With a threadbare squad, many of whom were strangers, it was difficult to see how Postecoglou could push a trusted few players to perform in a congested football calendar of European football and a League title race and still be able to put out a side competitive enough to reach the first domestic trophy final. The achievement of reaching Hampden today really shouldn’t be underestimated.

Celtic Manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates to the fans as he leaves the pitch

Last season was a jagged pill to swallow, dreams of ten in a row were extinguished early, yet the surrendering of all three trophies held, for four consecutive campaigns, and so meekly, cut deep. Now getting the first of our lost property back in the Parkhead trophy room is just one more game away, and it could be vital when it comes to building the confidence and belief to reclaim the rest.

“All the teams that win a big trophy, it is thanks to the collective, when each one takes pleasure to share with the others. This is how it works.” Raphael Varane said that when Real Madrid won the Champions League. Over his ten seasons at Real Madrid, he won an outstanding 18 titles. Varane clearly knew, and had it evidenced to him, that the team win and lose together but it’s the lifting of silverware that forges that winning mentality.

It gives all that effort and commitment something tangible to gaze on in the trophy room alongside medals to have on show at home, to look back at and remember the achievements made alongside your friends, and to be a part of with the teammates who helped you achieve it, and then to strive for more.

Ange Postecoglou has given his team belief; the players have bought into his philosophy and his process and the performances and results have followed. The support in turn have embraced the players and the manager and a bond has developed, but at Celtic playing the Celtic Way is non-negotiable, as is having the silverware to justify that style of play.

The first opportunity for that to happen comes at Hampden against Hibs this afternoon. This is the occasion for a winning mentality to return alongside the entertaining product Postecoglou has engineered. It is a chance to develop a winning habit that can springboard this Celtic side into the new year and a genuine title challenge, and one that looked a forlorn hope in the chaos of the summer. It is the first moment to reclaim one of three trophies we gave up with little more than a whimper.

Andre Villas-Boas was quoted as saying – “There has to be a level of entertainment. But the trophy cabinet is something that is more visible.”

Celtic Manager Angelos Postecoglou holds up a scarf thrown to him by a fan after the win

Celtic so far have certainly supplied the entertainment. It is once again a privilege to watch a Celtic team play with such a gallus swagger, and now the chance of a trophy is withing touching distance, one that would be a reward for the efforts of both the manager and the player’s incredible journey to date.

It is a final few supporters would have been expecting to compete in this season, but now we are it offers an opportunity to instil a trophy winning habit to ally to the entertaining product we’ve seen develop.

It is also an opportunity Ange Postecoglou and the players have earned. Should they bring home the League Cup today it will be a just reward for their efforts to date and it could be just the beginning for this Celtic team with something visible, something tangible to show everyone Celtic is back on track, and far sooner than many of us would have expected.

Niall J

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