Ange Postecoglou has asserted that the job at Celtic Park is “relentless” when he sat down with the assembled media to discuss Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie against our fierce rivals. The big man has been through a whirlwind time in his two seasons at the club and that continual demand for success and silverware never allows anyone to stop – regardless of the circumstances.
Joe Hart spoke about our elite standards just a couple of weeks ago and the Hoops manager has reaffirmed that assertion by the former Premier League winner today, ahead of our crucial encounter with the Ibrox club. With players out injured recently, performances haven’t been what they were prior to us losing some of our key players. Most notably, the impressive Reo Hatate in the creative midfield berth.
Speaking at Lennoxtown today, Ange Postecoglou said: “Everyone got through unscathed from last week. Abada, Jota and Reo have trained all week so they are available. James Forrest is probably another week away.
“It’s hugely beneficial to us as a group. Even training this week has gone up a level because of the quality of players that have joined in training. All three boys have missed a bit recently and they are itching to be involved so it certainly helps, not just the starting XI, but also to go to the bench and impact the game.”
The head coach will now have the luxury of having those who were missing back in his roster for the Hampden Showdown, but has revealed that no matter who is available, this current squad will be more than capable of getting the job done and sending us into another domestic cup final.
“This group of players have been through these scenarios fairly often and I don’t think there has been a moment that a player has been overawed,” he stated.
“We’ve given debuts to boys in these kinds of games, even guys like Alistair Johnston this year. Part of us recruiting players and bringing them in is that we know that character and personality and they can cope with it.
“It’s relentless at this club and that happens every week and obviously with the big games, people put an extra incentive on them, but the expectation to perform is there every week for us. Even the slightest blip like last week, the players know they don’t want to drop below those standards.”
It will now be a case of seeing who is most likely going to be effective in that game with theRangers. Reo Hatate is back and training but he has missed a good few weeks now since that unfortunate injury against Hibernian at Parkhead before the international break.
Even having the Japanese star as an option from the bench makes a world of difference, as we’ve missed him terribly for several weeks now. With Jota and Liel Abada back too, it should give us more than enough firepower heading into the latest instalment of this year’s Glasgow Derby wars.
Paul Gillespie
