John Hartson believes Ange Postecoglou does indeed have a chance of an incredible treble in his first year with Celtic.
The Hoops already have the Premier Sports Cup won and currently sit 3 points clear at the top of the Premiership. Celtic are involved in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals too, with a trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United next on our cup agenda.
It’s all there to be won for Postecoglou, who took over a total shambles in the summer with a major rebuilding job needing completing. The thought of even competing closely for the league title looked optimistic, nevermind potentially winning all 3 trophies.
And whilst Hartson was keen to remind everyone that Ange won’t be getting ahead of himself, he did talk up our treble chances on Go Radio’s Football Show last night:
“Well that would be unbelievable wouldn’t it? From a Celtic point of view. And it’s on. It’s on. Celtic obviously have Dundee United in the quarter-final whilst Rangers play Dundee. Let’s not forget either that neither team got to a final last year which doesn’t happen very often.
“That could possibly happen [a treble]. But I think the manager has said that it’s one game at a time. 11 cup finals to go. Celtic and Rangers have still to play each other another twice. Might meet in the final. It’s a huge rivalry and there’s a chase on.
“From the start of the season we sat here back in August and Celtic couldn’t win the league. It just goes to show how fantastic the manager has been with the players. The formation, the personnel, the winning run. It’s a ridiculous run of form.”
Celtic treble would be greatest achievement since UEFA Cup Final
For me, a treble this season would be the biggest achievement since the club’s run to the UEFA Cup final in Seville back in 2003. Yes, there’s the obvious rival in the invincible treble winners. But when you look back to where this club was back in the summer, to then potentially win all 3 trophies should really be impossible.
So much so that Celtic supporters still aren’t really talking about it. Not because it’s not something they care much about achieving, but because it still comes across as unrealistic. Even though we’re into February and well placed in both the Premiership and Scottish Cup, it still seems so far off.
There are, of course, plenty of challenges remaining between now and then. Tannadice won’t be easy in the quarter-finals. And it’s looking as though we could have to face Rangers again at Hampden further down the line in what would be a nervy contest.
Celtic also still have to prove they can perform with the expectation levels of being top of the Premiership. Yes, we’re not long after a 9-in-a-row run. But this is a different group of players by and large combined with a new manager and new way of working.
If Celtic are still sitting pretty come April in the league and in the cup, then it will likely start picking up more and more interest. Trebles had previously become normalised at the club after our quadruple treble success. But it can’t be taken away how difficult it is to achieve even with a settled squad.
If Ange manages to get over the line with a team he’s just build and in a country he hasn’t worked in before? It’s almost too ridiculous to comprehend.
In other news, “We have a saying at Glimt”; Bodo figure confirms how they’ll approach Celtic game
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