Ange Postecoglou has started the club’s media build-up to the League Cup semi-final against Kilmarnock on Saturday afternoon with an interview on Celtic TV. The Celtic manager started by giving his assessment on the domestic season so far and that St Mirren game is never far away from his thoughts!
“I think the team’s progression, we got off to a great start in terms of our season,” Ange said when asked about the stand-out aspects of Celtic’s season so-far. “Performances were strong and results were obviously good. We had the slight blip against St Mirren, but aside from that, taking into account Champions League football, fixture schedules, the consistency of the boys.
“More importantly I have said the progression in the team. We are still evolving and getting stronger. Post the break I think there have been some of our strongest performances. That is the pleasing aspect and we need to keep doing that until the end of the year.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s short trip to Hampden Ange says he’s fond of playing at Hampden as the games are meaningful, with plenty on the line. “I have enjoyed the wins, I didn’t enjoy the loss. That is always the main thing I guess. Hampden is a unique venue in that whenever you play there you know that there is something on the line. You aren’t playing there in just another game.
“It is either a semi-final or a final. I think the fact both clubs can bring fans, I just think it makes a great occasion and certainly for us we look forward to it and for us to make it memorable we have to perform and win,” the Celtic manager stated.
“Whilst we weren’t successful in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup I still enjoyed all three games for the occasion they are. For us to make it memorable we have to perform and win.”
Asked if the League Cup had a special place in his heart, Postecoglou added: “It is all special. Where we were on our journey to win silverware so early, it helped fast-track many of the things I wanted to implement.
On winning the League Cup against Hibs in December 2021, the Celtic manager re-stated the significance of getting his first trophy in the door within his first few months in the job. “Winning a trophy gathers belief in everything you are doing and accelerates everyone’s learnings. It was a very important part of our season.”
👊 The Boss 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗹𝗼𝘂
Our brand new interview with the manager has dropped on #CelticTV and you can watch him preview Saturday’s #ViaPlayCup Semi-Final!
Watch in FULL ⤵️https://t.co/gIN2dLHEWW@CelticFC | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/rqYttVQ9hA
— Celtic TV (@CelticTV) January 11, 2023
An avid watcher of football on television Ange Postecoglou notes the shock results we have seen in the FA Cup over the last week and recognises that Kilmarnock will be eager to pull off their own giant killing exercise on Saturday evening at Hampden.
“You just have to look at what happened down south in the FA Cup over the weekend and cup football in general, I’ve been around long enough to know that there’s always a different element to it.
“I think it allows players to play with less fear even though there’s so much on edge because when you aren’t expected to win you have nothing to lose.
‘It’s not like you’re losing three points and falling behind in the table, you give it all out there and see what comes of it and we need to be ready to deal with that and have the same sort of mentality.’
“It’s a unique situation where you’re playing the same team, I’ve no doubt Derek McInnes will have his team up for it and we have to be ready and we’ll be up for it as well.”
✊ Aim is to retain the cup and we’ll be up for the semi-final
💬 “I just think it makes for a great occasion and certainly for us we look forward to it and for us to make it memorable we have to perform and win.”#CELKIL | #ViaplayCup | #COYBIG 🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 11, 2023
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