Aaron Mooy and his captain Callum McGregor spoke to Viaplay Sports at Tynecastle this afternoon after the pair starred in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Hearts in the Scottish Cup quarter final, a result that sees Celtic join Championship side Inverness Caley Thistle in the draw which will take place on Monday evening after the Falkirk v Ayr United quarter final. One of those two will join the winners of theRangers v Raith Rovers quarter final in the draw as Celtic get tantalisingly close to a treble.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates at full time during the Heart of Midlothian v Celtic Scottish Cup match at Tynecastle Stadium on March 11, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Not that Ange Postecolgou, his captain or his fellow Australian want to talk about that. Instead let’s talk about the time Aaron Mooy – with a full head of hair – met Harry Kewell 17 years ago at Westfield Sports High School in Sydney, check this out at the bottom of this article!
Meanwhile here’s the baldy Mooy with Calmac talking to broadcaster Viaplay after today’s brilliant win at Tyncastle…
Viaplay Sports: How was that?
Callum McGregor: “It went really well. Obviously, when you score early it settles everyone down and takes the emphasis away from the crowd. There are no easy games when you come here, you make them comfortable for yourself by how you start the game and how you apply yourself. I thought the players were excellent throughout.”
Viaplay Sports: Your goal helped, Aaron, as it put you ahead inside two minutes?
Aaron Mooy: “It is nice to add to a game and take a goal and move on to the next one.”
Viaplay Sports: Maybe the only frustration is the fact you didn’t add to it straight away?
Aaron Mooy: “I thought we played well in the first-half and created some good chances. Sometimes they don’t always go in and we kept at it by getting the goal just before half-time which was nice to go into the break 2-0 up.”
Viaplay Sports: Aaron has become a key player for Celtic, hasn’t he?
Callum McGregor: “He’s been outstanding, the way him and Reo connect in the middle of the pitch is really good to play with. We try to connect the game with short passes and those two are never too far away from each other. You see in tight areas, they can take the ball and manipulate and put us high up the pitch. He has become a big player for us.”
Viaplay Sports: How important is Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back?
Aaron Mooy: He’s very consistent, very strong and reliable and you know he can always win his duels. He is a great player.
Viaplay Sports: A word for Joe Hart as well who pulled off a big save at 1-0?
Callum McGregor: That is what your goalkeeper is there for and you are not successful as a team if you do not have a goalkeeper who can make saves at vital times. If they get a goal then the game can change. It was an outstanding save and to be fair the players congratulated him at half-time as we knew it was a big moment in the game.
Viaplay Sports: Is the treble in your sights?
Aaron Mooy: “We just take things one game at a time and try to win that. That is what we do. Everyone wants to hear something else but that’s what we do.”
Joe Hart of Celtic makes a save from Toby Sibbick of Hearts during the Heart of Midlothian v Celtic Scottish Cup match at Tynecastle Stadium on March 11, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Matthew Marr’s debut Celtic book – ‘The BOULD BHOYS – Glory to their name’ comes out on to Friday 24 March. Thanks to everyone who has ordered since we announced the book on Monday evening via an interview with the author. Please note that all pre-ordered books will be personally signed by Matthew Marr and you can order below if you’d like a signed copy posted out to you 24 March.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ORDER YOUR SIGNED COPY!