Everything that Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou said to the media after the treble winning 3-1 Scottish Cup final victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle
How does that feel?
I’m very proud of the group and it’s a little bit surreal when you think about what we’ve achieved. Coming off the back of last season when we had unexpected success with a Double, there was a gap there - the Scottish Cup. The challenge this year was to come back bigger and better like I said to them on the last day. I wanted us to improve but that’s easy for me to say. The players have just embraced every challenge and for us to do that, we had to fill the gap. Winning the Scottish Cup does that. This club has such an unbelievable history of success and for this group, they’ve got their bit in there now which will be there forever.
How does it feel to have your name etched alongside the list of other Celtic managers who have achieved the Treble?
I take enormous pride to get my own little piece of history. When you join this club you understand that it’s a great opportunity but there’s also great responsibility. There are certain levels of performance and success you have to deliver. You take that on board so to do something few people have done is pretty special. Everything I’ve achieved in my career is special in its own way but this is one I’m extremely proud of.
What does the future hold for this team and yourself?
Before you look ahead you have to enjoy it. Everyone has worked hard for this, it’s been a long season. Some of our boys have been to a World Cup and they’re still out there putting it in. It’s been a monumental effort. Kyogo was barely fit today and he’s now got to go and play for his national team. But his thoughts were just about performing for this club. They all deserve to enjoy this, it’s not about what’s next for any of them. I said that to them in the dressing-room. They can celebrate this one a little bit harder because tomorrow there’s a holiday for them. So I’ve told them to enjoy it and whatever is next will take care of itself. They all deserve to enjoy this it’s not about what’s next for any of them. Just enjoy this, that’s what I said to them in the dressing room. They can celebrate this one a little harder than the others – and they celebrated them hard as well by the way – knowing there is a holiday there for all of them. So just enjoy it, enjoy it now, and whatever is next will take care of itself.
Did you enjoy being out on the pitch?
I enjoy all of that. You know what it does for people. I’ve said it before, that is the greatest reward you get. As much as you get personal satisfaction seeing how it affects others gives you the greatest joy. The supporters, the players, the staff, my family, just seeing what days like today do for them and how it makes them feel, that is the beautiful part. That gives you great pride. Ultimately everyone is out there with a common purpose to try and be a part of something special. It is in that moment that you get to share it with everybody.”
The Celtic fans were singing your name and they almost seemed to be pleading with you to stay?
I have appreciated the support I’ve had from day one. Because of the way I came into the football club – without beating about the bush, I was a joke. A lot of people made fun of me – but the supporters for their own reasons put their collective arm around me and said ‘no he’s one of ours’. It was up to me to repay that faith. The reason they felt so close to this team and so close to me was because while others may have mocked, they stood behind me. I think they deserve a lot of credit for what has happened because it would have been easy for our supporters to have been just as sceptical given the reaction to my appointment. That would have made my job a lot tougher, especially in that early period when results weren’t there. I think they felt part of my journey here and they deserve to feel good about the fact that while a lot of people ridiculed it, they stood by the person who was representing their football club and that’s what makes them special as supporters. For me, I have tried to repay that in my own way by hopefully producing a team that has brought success and that they are going to be proud of. But that for me has always been the most important thing.
READ MORE: Detailed Celtic ratings as Callum McGregor leads treble charge
The Celtic fans are worried. What would you say to them?
I would say to them what I would say to the players – let’s enjoy this. I deserve to enjoy this, the people around me deserve to enjoy this. Whatever other people want to focus on and talk about, I am not going to miss enjoying this moment with this group of people. But also I owe it to my family, my friends, those people closest to me. Everyone works hard and makes sacrifices to enjoy these moments. I understand that other people who aren’t invested in it want to ask these questions, but for me right now the most important thing is that we reflect and just be in the moment of crowning something special.
The fans are invested in it and they are asking about it?
Yeah, but, again, they deserve to enjoy this moment because irrespective of what happens in the future why would not want to enjoy this moment for what it is? It is something historic.
Do you anticipate being here next season?
I anticipate enjoying this moment for the next 24, 48 hours, as long as I can before somebody drags me away and takes my attention away from enjoying something that has been hard-earned. The reality of it is there are probably players in that dressing room who won’t be here next year. That’s the nature of football. But I want them to enjoy it, I’m going to enjoy it and that’s all I’m going to focus on until somebody grabs me by the collar and tells me that I have to answer certain questions.
Callum McGregor has won five trebles - how important has he been to you in your time here?
It’s mind-blowing just to think about it. I know that they have all come in such a short space of time. Maybe people get complacent and think they are the norm. They’re not, they’re an exception. Whilst it’s five in a short space of time, when you think about the history of the football club it’s not that common. Look, I’ve said it from the start, he’s been outstanding, an outstanding leader, he’s grown into the role, he’s a fantastic footballer, he’s a fantastic human being and it’s a credit to him and his family that, with many more years to go in his career, that he already stands as one of the giants of this football club. It’s been great to watch him grow as a person and as a leader in that dressing room. He’s got some good lieutenants in there as well, but it’s a credit to him and no one deserves it more.
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