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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Graeme McGarry

Ange Postecoglou shuts down Celtic Treble talk, but says they are getting stronger

CELTIC manager Ange Postecoglou is blanking all talk of a Treble this season after watching his side cruise past Hearts to reach the Scottish Cup semi-final, but says that his players must maintain their focus as that possibility moves closer.

Postecoglou was delighted with his side as they made it 13 wins in a row through goals from Aaron Mooy, Kyogo and Cameron Carter-Vickers at Tynecastle.

He remains focused on his team’s short-term goals though, laughing off any suggestion that a domestic clean sweep has entered his thoughts.

“How many different ways have you asked that question?!” Postecoglou said.

“We’ve got Hibs next week and that’s where our focus is. It’s worked well for us that way and it’s not a throwaway line.

“I get it. I spoke about it before the game, football in Scotland is very much a cauldron. There isn’t a person who hasn’t got an interest or some skin in the game. There is always a lot of noise, a lot of talk.

“Our role is to stay really disciplined and focus on what is important to us. The lads have embraced that, they understand that if you take your eye off the ball you are going to trip up.

“We never look beyond the next challenge. It’s a cliche but that’s the only way we are going to achieve what we want to.”

Postecoglou did concede though that his men would be hard to stop if they maintain their recent form.

“You have hit the nail on the head by saying ‘If’ we continue this form,” he said.

“There is always the possibility you won’t if you don't concentrate, if you aren’t disciplined and work hard every day.

“This group does work hard every and it’s okay me saying that, but we see it out there. You see the end product but I see it from the whole group on a daily basis.

“They push each other to be the best they can be. As a consequence of that, our performances have been really strong and are getting stronger.

“We look a stronger and better team every week than we were at the start of the year. And we weren’t a bad team back then.

“The idea now is to prepare for Hibs next week and that is an important game for us before the break.

“After that, we can get the head down and head for the finish line.”

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