Engels dismisses idea of cup final canter
Arne Engels insists Celtic will have to bring their A-game against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final if they are to complete another treble.The Parkhead side are bidding to complete a ninth domestic clean sweep with victory over Jimmy Thelin's men, an outcome that would earn manager Brendan Rodgers his third treble, a record for a Celtic manager."That would mean a lot," Belgium international Engels told BBC Scotland."It's only eight [teams] that already did it. To be part of a team that did it for the ninth time would be an amazing feeling. "There's still a lot to do, but hopefully we can get that."Celtic are heavily fancied to defeat an out-of-form Aberdeen, who lost their final four Premiership fixtures to finish in fifth place.In this season's head-to-head between the clubs, after a creditable early 2-2 draw in Glasgow, Celtic have won the past four meetings, scoring 17 times, the most recent a 5-1 win at Pittodrie.Despite that, Engels insists the outcome is no formality and those expecting an easy passage to victory are wrong."I don't agree with it because there are so many aspects that need to be really right," he said."I think we always make it maybe a little look a bit easier than it is. It's not easy. It's maybe for the ninth time that we can win that [the treble] and it happens not a lot. "That shows already how good we are and how good we have been during the season. It's totally not easy.""I think everybody needs to be at their best game and everybody needs to be connected and doing all the right stuff that they did already the whole year and then hopefully then we can end up scoring goals and winning."Celtic's young player of the year refused to be drawn on reported interest from Italian side Atalanta. "I'm now focused on the next game and it will be a big one, a cup final so I don't want to think about other things in the summer," he said."I just want to do this now and then hopefully get a treble and that would be amazing and then get my well-deserved rest because that's also needed after so many games. "Then coming back here and trying to to win again everything, that would be would be really nice."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
37 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Ange Postecoglou sacked: Ruthless Spurs explain call in 368-word statement as Celtic icon tipped to be replaced by EPL boss
Australian boss dismissed by Tottenham despite Europa League glory Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tottenham Hotspur have explained their decision to sack manager Ange Postecoglou despite leading them to Europa League glory. The former Celtic boss was axed on Friday evening in a 368-word statement - with Spurs saying it is 'one of the toughest decisions' they have made. While Postecoglou led the club to a European trophy, Tottenham's performance in the English Premier League was deemed unacceptable, finishing 17th - one place above the relegation zone. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Postecoglou had delivered on his promise of 'always' winning in his second season thanks to the 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21, etching the Australian's name into the history books as only the third Spurs boss to taste European success and the first in 17 years to lift silverware – provoking an outpouring of affection from a previously split fanbase. Ange Postecoglou has been sacked by Tottenham Hotspur. | Getty Images While Postecoglou - appointed in June 2023 after landing a treble and a double following two trophy-laden seasons at Celtic - divided opinion across two years in England and attracted criticism, his San Mames triumph last month has not earned him a third season at the helm. Postecoglou even delivered a mic-drop moment during a euphoric open-top bus parade in front of an estimated 220,000 people when he declared 'season three is better than season two', but chairman Daniel Levy had other ideas and has dismissed the man to deliver him a much-craved trophy. A statement from Tottenham read: 'Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Achievement will live with us forever' 'Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month - an achievement that will live with us all forever. 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. 'However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. Ange Postecoglou guided Spurs to the Europa League. | Getty Images 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future - he will always be welcome back at our home. 'News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course.' Next Spurs manager favourite Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been installed as the bookmakers' favourite to replace Postecoglou, who departs following a rollercoaster ride in his first Premier League role. Postecoglou released a statement via his agency CAA Base, saying: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Spurs explain reasons behind Ange Postecoglou sacking
His departure was confirmed on Friday afternoon. A Spurs statement read: "Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. Read more: "Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month - an achievement that will live with us all forever. "We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. "However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. "It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision. "We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future - he will always be welcome back at our home. "News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
New Rangers boss Russell Martin already looking to English leagues for defensive reinforcements with two centre-backs targeted and another on the way out of Ibrox
Rangers are weighing up moves for defensive duo Harry Darling and Conor Coady, with Robin Propper set to depart Ibrox after just one season. New boss Russell Martin is keen to revamp the squad and make some additions ahead of the Rangers players reporting back for pre-season in just over a fortnight. A 25-year-old centre-back who is being chased by a host of clubs in the English Championship, Darling looks likely to leave Swansea City on a free transfer after turning down a new contract. Martin has signed Darling twice previously, firstly at MK Dons and then again at Swansea, and could now look to make it a third time at Rangers. While facing competition from the likes of Norwich City and Sheffield United among several others, Rangers are hopeful that Martin's personal relationship with the player could yet swing things in their favour. Rangers are also tracking the availability of Leicester City 's Coady, a 32-year-old centre-back who won 10 caps for England earlier in his career. A product of the Liverpool youth academy, Coady played the bulk of his football at Wolves and was a key figure in helping to establish them in the Premier League. He has since gone on to have a spell at Everton, where he was signed by Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell, and latterly at Leicester. Coady still has another year to run on his contract, but Leicester are expected to revamp their squad following relegation to the Championship. Rangers are tracking his progress and it's believed that Martin is a big admirer of Coady's leadership qualities. The push for more defensive reinforcements comes as Propper is closing in on a return to Holland after just one season in Glasgow. The 31-year-old Dutchman endured a poor season and never convinced following his £2.5million move from Twente last summer. Rangers will inevitably have to take a hit on that investment and are unlikely to recoup the fee, with a return to Twente the most likely destination for Propper at this point. Martin is reluctant to close the door on any player before he's had a chance to assess them in pre-season and Ben Davies is likely to be offered a chance to resurrect his Rangers career.
