CHRIS Sutton has dismissed the notion that the speculation surrounding manager Ange Postecoglou’s future will distract the Celtic players in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park today. He labels such beliefs as “nonsense”.
In the lead-up to the prestigious final and the pursuit of a domestic treble, there has been ongoing conjecture about Postecoglou’s future at Celtic.
The Greek-Australian manager, who is reportedly scheduled to meet with Tottenham Hotspur’s chief executive Daniel Levy on Monday, has expertly deflected all such speculation, insisting his focus remains solely on the upcoming match against the Highlanders, which could secure Celtic’s eighth treble in the club’s history.
Sutton, who was part of a treble-winning Celtic team during Martin O’Neill’s inaugural season in 2000/2001, stated: [Daily Record]
“Today’s Scottish Cup Final has almost become an afterthought with all this talk about Spurs preparing to make their move.
“But I can tell you who won’t be getting distracted by the furore. The players. Honestly, they won’t be giving a toss.
“There are plenty of people who are saying they might get distracted, they might be unsettled by the uncertainty and it could affect them on the pitch.
“Nonsense. Sure, the players might be chatting about it and considering the possibility of the manager going. But it won’t matter a jot to them walking out at Hampden today. This is the treble. This is history. It’s huge.
“No matter what happens with Postecoglou, this is their opportunity to write their own names in the record books. I know Celtic have been hoovering up trebles in recent seasons, but it’s not that common when you look back through history.”
Spurs are set to formally approach Ange after the cup final, claiming that they’ve kept respect for Ange Postecoglou and Celtic. Postecoglou himself hasn’t opened up on the potential job, and stated he remains focused on the final.
Like the stink that emerged before and after TIAR feore. The players want medals, more that the Hoopz fanz want to break the Guinness book of Hoopz and the foe treble wins.
ICT will be up for a bit of a ‘back six telegraph pole/man, hit them on the wings, get in near the 25 yard box and fall down, free kicks, corners, hit on the break’ type of game.
Anger and co will try and score a couple of goals before they even blink.