Ange Postecoglou has vowed to ensure Inverness Caledonian Thistle don’t add his name to the list of Celtic managers the Highlanders have denied glory.
The Parkhead boss is determined to land the Treble with a Scottish Cup success over the Highlanders at Hampden this evening in what Hoops fans are praying is not his final match. Spurs are believed to be ready to open talks with Postecoglou as early as Monday as they step up their bid to lure the Aussie from Glasgow - but the man himself is adamant his focus in 100 per cent on making sure Billy Dodds’ men don’t add his scalp to those belonging to John Barnes, Martin O’Neill, Neil Lennon and Ronny Deila.
He said: “That’s what is going to be on me for the rest of my career (if Celtic lose). Irrespective of what happens to me next. I’m not going to let that happen. It’s not all in my power, obviously. But I’m going to make sure we are going to be absolutely well-prepared to deliver on the day.
“That story…there is a history with them and this football club and it has been mentioned to me numerous times. I was well aware of it anyway. It has destroyed managers’ careers, and I’m not going to let that happen, I’m just not.”
Inverness have had a month off since the end of their league game, which Celtic stuttered in the league after wrapping up the title on the first weekend of the split. But having watched his side restored to almost full strength against Aberdeen on trophy day last Saturday, Postecoglou is adamant his players will be ready to chase another domestic clean sweep.
He added: “This group of players has always delivered on big days. They’ve done that consistently since round six (of the league) last year.
"You name me a game, apart from the Scottish Cup semi final last year, every other time it’s been a big game of consequence, they’ve delivered. I’m not worried about them being complacent, irrespective of who we were facing in the cup final, it’s the make up and character of this team that on a big day they will perform.
“It doesn’t guarantee the result but there will be no sense of complacency in their mind. It’s just not what this team is about.”
