Ange Postecoglou's pitch-perfect response to Celtic treble question after sinking rivals

By John McGinley

February 27, 2023

Given Celtic have just bagged their first silverware of the season and the team’s position in the Scottish Premiership, it is inevitable that some people’s thoughts are turning to a potential treble of trophies.

Ange Postecoglou’s side are nine points clear at the top of the table with just 12 games remaining. A trip to Hearts in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals is also on the books.

As the form team in the country, one which has a strong winning mentality, the Bhoys are clearly fancied to go on complete a clean sweep of trophies. However, Postecoglou isn’t ready to address that possibility.

Ange Postecoglou can only think of St Mirren vs Celtic

When the topic of a treble came up in his post-match interview with Viaplay and it was put to him Celtic are on course for a special season, the Bhoys boss responded: “Not if we don’t knock off St Mirren next week. That’s our focus, that’s my mindset since I’ve been here.

“I know there’s a relentlessness about this football club. You understand that they’re not going to give you any off weeks or a week we are not at our best or at it all the time. If I lose that focus it will be easy for the players to do so.

“We’ll enjoy tonight and start focusing on next week and winning a game of football against a club that’s doing well this year, at a venue that’s always difficult.”

As much as many people might try to get one between now and May, I doubt Postecoglou will be giving a different response on this topic.

This group have prided themselves on staying focused on their own improvement, without thinking of grand achievements and successes until they’re in the bag. The manager continues to set the tone for that.

Even thinking of this week, let’s not forget that St Mirren remain the only team in Scotland to beat Celtic this season. It’s not the time for the Bhoys to be getting ahead of themselves.

When you consider a cup trip to Tynecastle, two remaining derbies in the league and all sorts of other factors that may be outside of Postecoglou’s control, he’s right to tone the excitement down, for now.

In other news, Ellie Dixon releases full version of Jota’s Celtic song to 1.4m followers and it’s going viral.