Match Pictures | Matches: 2022 – 2023
Trivia
- Scottish Cup final
- KO: 17:30; Saturday; BBC One Scotland & Viaplay, 22C weather
- Celtic play their 60th Scottish Cup Final, and win their 41st trophy.
- A record-breaking 8th Domestic Treble, Celtic’s 5th in 7 years. The most successful football club in the world now supposedly. 115 Domestic Trophies won plus European Cup.
- Traditional 3pm kick-off ruled out due to TV clash with England’s FA Cup final. So moved to 5.30pm, concerns were it could be moved to 12.30! Kick-off time causing controversy among fans. 3pm widely regarded as tradition. Fans and clubs have spoken out against decision to shift the kick-off. SFA argue the move will boost the match’s profile. Nonsense as the game is not being shown on BBC One in England!
- Inverness CT are in the Championship, so first v second tier final. Didn’t make the league playoffs; so this is their first competitive match in around a month!
- 15% of the population of Inverness is reputedly travelling down for this game!
- Aaron Mooy out injured.
- Reports: MSM increasingly linking Postecoglu to vacant Spurs managers role. Concerns & debate ratcheting up across Celtic support. Marseille reputedly also interested.
Post-Note: Postecoglu resigned a few days later and moved to Spurs to the EPL. So this was his last match as manager of Celtic, sealing the domestic treble. - Two Scottish Cups in one week for Celtic and Celtic Women.
- Kyogo’s scored in every cup final he’s played in for Celtic to date. Incredible.
- Joe Hart only the second Celtic player to win ALL major domestic honours in Scotland and England.
- FA Cup final: Man City defeated Man Utd (They won European Cup (next week), league & Cup treble.
- Video games: Celtic in EA Sports FC expansion as Celtic Park to feature as ‘new’ licensed stadia. Although some claim this has been an annual announcement so some scepticism.
- Albian Ajeti returning as Sturm Graz confirm no perm deal.
- Reports: considering bid for Maribor striker Zan Vipotnik; AEK Athens tell Levi Garcia he will not be allowed to leave. Newcastle Utd watching Celtic’s 17 year old left-back Mitchel Frame ‘very closely’.
- Report: Arsenal “happy to sell” ex Celt Kieran Tierney. Possibly moving to Newcastle Utd.
- Uefa Cup: Seville defeat Roma (managed by former Porto manager Mourinho) on penalties in the final. Celtic had lost to Porto (managed by Mourinho) in the UEFA Cup final in Seville in 2003!
- UEFA Conference Cup: Won by West Ham managed by ex-Celt Davie Moyes
- First Minster @HumzaYousaf says football clubs “can and should do more” to organise large scale celebrations for fans. He was speaking after thousands of Celtic fans gathered to celebrate lifting the league trophy last weekend.
Summary
“I woke up this morning thinking about one thing. The same thing I’ve been thinking about for the last 7 days, 5 days. That I really want to make sure that we play well in this cup final and make it a truly special season.”
Ange Postecoglou pre match
“There will be a time to talk about [my future]; now is not that time”.
Ange Postecoglou
“Let’s not beat around the bush, I was a joke when I was appointed. A lot of people made fun of my appointment. But the supporters, for their own reasons just put their collective arms around me and said no, he’s one of ours.”
Ange Postecoglou
“We are representing Celtic Football Club and that is the most important thing,”
Joe Hart
joebloggscity of TheCelticWiki:
Celtic have created history! A record breaking eighth treble and now amassed 115 major trophies. As for today a wonderful although possibly bittersweet day if Postecoglu does leave for Spurs next week.
A near enough first team was surprisingly a bit under form against a formidable second tier ICT side who gave as good as they could on the day. A dogged performance by the highland side meant that Celtic had to be patient albeit were too often profligate. A delightful goal from Kyogo steadied the nerves later in the second half by Abada dancing through to nip in a goal like an assassin. However a late goal by ICT (admittedly very good one) with Iwata at fault, shook the game up but big favourite Jota stole the show with some good skill to close out the match after wonderful long & high cross field assist by Abada fell perfectly for him to seal the game.
The celebrations were in full throw, albeit everyone trying to read between the lines in every post match interview to guess Postecoglu’s intentions. Despite that, an incredible end to the season and another near perfect one. Postecoglu deserves all the praise in the world. Let’s at least enjoy the moment.
Twitter:
ALASTAIR CAMPBELL @campbellclaret [Labour party spin doctor]: The atmosphere at the Scottish Cup Final different league to what we just saw at Wembley.
@EddyGrady · 9h SPL Champions Viaplay Cup Winners Scottish Cup Winners Women’s Scottish Cup Winners Glasgow Cup Winners Youth Cup Winners We’re gonna need a bigger cabinet!
Celtic under Ange Postecoglou 2021-22: League Title League Cup 137 goals in 60 games 2022-23: League Title League Cup Scottish Cup 147 goals in 53 games They’ve scored 10 more goals in seven fewer games this season, incredibly relentless. P113 W83 D14 L16 Win rate: 73.45%
Celtic Trust @TheCelticTrust · 13h Oh Hampden in the sun! What a day for everyone associated with the club. A record-breaking 8th treble. Another special day supporting Celtic
John McGinley @jhnmcgnly · 14h Ange Postecoglou arrived from nowhere in 2021, plenty of Celtic fans worried and outside observers wrote him off. Today he takes his place in the club history books having dominated Scottish football for 2 years. Whatever happens from here, it’s been an incredible, joyous ride.
Teams
Celtic
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Hart
- 2Johnston
- 24Iwata
- 4Starfelt
- 3Taylor
- 33O’Riley Substituted for Turnbull at 76′minutes
- 42McGregor
- 41Hatate Substituted for Haksabanovic at 76′minutes
- 17Neves Filipe Substituted for Forrest at 90+2′minutes
- 8Furuhashi Substituted for Oh at 59′minutes
- 38Maeda Substituted for Abada at 45′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Haksabanovic
- 11Abada
- 14Turnbull
- 19Oh
- 25Bernabei
- 31Siegrist
- 49Forrest
- 56Ralston
- 57Welsh
Goals:
- Furuhashi (38′ minutes),
- Abada (65′ minutes),
- Neves Filipe (90’+1 minutes)
Assists:
- O’Riley (38′ minutes),
- McGregor (65′ minutes),
- Abada (90’+1 minutes)
Inverness CT
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Ridgers
- 2DuffyBooked at 70mins
- 6Devine
- Substituted forDelaneyat 75′minutes
- 5Deas
- 3Harper
- 8CarsonBooked at 44mins
- 18Allardice
- Substituted forMacGregorat 81′minutes
- 4Welsh
- 20Henderson
- Substituted forMackayat 68′minutes
- 22Shaw
- Substituted forDoranat 81′minutes
- 9Mckay
- Substituted forSamuelsat 75′minutes
Substitutes
- 10Doran
- 12MacGregor
- 16Hyde
- 17Mackay
- 21MacKay
- 23Delaney
- 24Samuels
- 28Woods
- 30Boyd
Goals:
- Mackay (84′ minutes)
Assists:
- Duffy (84′ minutes)
Ref: John Beaton
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Inverness CT
- Possession
- Home73%
- Away27%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away3
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away1
- Corners
- Home4
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away6
Articles
Celtic seal historic Treble with Scottish Cup final victory over Inverness
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/june/03/celtic-seal-historic-treble-with–hampden-with-scottish-cup-final-victory-over-inverness/
03 Jun 2023, 7:28 pm
Match Report
By Lewis Laird
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Scottish Cup
Saturday, June 3, 2023
Hampden Park
Celtic…3
(Kyogo 37, Abada 65, Jota 90+1)
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1
(MacKay 84)
It was a historic day at Hampden Park as Celtic secured a record eighth Treble with a 3-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup final.
A brilliant first half strike from Kyogo was followed up by Liel Abada’s finish from close range just past the hour mark.
The Scottish Championship side did attempt to make a late comeback, however, Jota was on hand to grab a third and seal the trophy for the Hoops.
In the opening stages of the game, Celtic were looking to hurt Inverness in wide areas straight from the off.
On a number of separate occasions, Greg Taylor attempted to find Daizen Maeda down the left, but the pass just wasn’t seeming to come off.
That seemed to be the story of the Hoops’ first half as the Bhoys attempted to find the all-important opening goal of the game.
Matt O’Riley was the first to have meaningful attempt on goal. A cleared cross into the box fell the way of the Danish under-21 internationalist, however, he couldn’t trouble Mark Ridgers with his bouncing effort which went wide of the target.
Inverness were having very little joy going forward, but were remaining rigid at the back aiming to stifle the Celtic frontline.
However, they were almost victims of their own downfall after a slack pass from Wallace Duffy fell in the path of Reo Hatate, who instantly looked to get on the break.
Following a nice interchange between the midfielder and Jota, Hatate looked all set to unleash a shot, before slipping and losing possession.
It was a difficult opening half an hour for the Celts, who were still trying to get into full rhythm, and particualry for Kyogo who had very little action in front of goal.
But, on the 37 minutes, the clinical Celtic striker sprung into life and opened the scoring with a fantastic first time finish.
A low ball into the box from O’Riley landed in the path of the Japanese forward, who smashed the ball into the top corner of the net to give Ange Postecoglou’s side the lead before the break.
Just moments later, the 28-year-old came close to grabbing his and Celtic’s second goal of the game.
Tomoki Iwata’s threaded pass allowed Kyogo to pick up some space and he attempted to find the far corner with an outside of the boot finish. But once more, the strike couldn’t trouble Ridgers goal.
73%
Possession
27%
19
Shots
3
6
Shots On Target
1
4
Corners
0
8
Fouls
6
0
0
Cards
2
0
At the break, Ange Postecoglou was forced into a change as Liel Abada was introduced in the second half to replace Daizen Maeda who appeared to have picked up a knock.
The Celts kicked off the half going in pursuit of a second goal, and it was Jota who was causing down the left after switching sides.
The winger burst down the left hand side and attempted to pick out a teammate with a clever pass inside the area, but he just couldn’t create the opportunity.
With the Hoops holding a slender lead, there was still a way back into the game for the Scottish Championship side, and they tried to hit on the break on a few occasions early in the second half. However, both Carl Starfelt and Tomoki Iwata were standing firm to any threats coming their way.
It took until just past the hour mark for Celtic to grab their second goal of the match, and it came from substitute Liel Abada.
Following a cynical foul on Reo Hatate at the half way line, Celtic captain Callum McGregor remained switched on and took a quick free kick which left the Inverness backline exposed.
The midfielder continued his run inside the penalty area, being found with a reverse pass from Jota before putting the ball across the six yard box.
As ever, Abada made a well-timed run in from the back post, and was on hand to tap the ball home from close range to give Celtic a two-goal advantage.
The Bhoys had half chances to grab a third via O’Riley and second half substitute Sead Haksabanovic, but neither could trouble Ridgers.
With around six minutes left to play, Inverness pulled a goal back as Daniel MacKay emphatically smashed the ball home with a diving header after a perfect delivery into the box from Wallace Duffy.
Just minutes after Inverness pulled themselves back into the game, Haksabanovic had another chance to regain Celtic’s two goal advantage which was well saved by the goalkeeper.
But the Hoops didn’t have to wait long to seal the cup, as Jota tucked the ball home at the back post from Abada’s delivery to make the score 3-1.
From that moment, the celebrations were underway on and off the pitch at Hampden Park as the Bhoys secured a historic eighth Treble.
Celtic: Hart, Johnston, Iwata, Starfelt, Taylor, O’Riley (Turnbull 76′), McGregor, Hatate (Hakšabanović 76′), Jota (Forrest 92′), Kyogo (Hyeongyu Oh 59′), Maeda (Abada 45′)
Subs: Hakšabanović, Abada, Turnbull, Hyeongyu Oh, Bernabei, Siegrist, Forrest, Ralston, Welsh
Inverness: Ridgers, Duffy, Devine (Delaney 75′), Deas, Harper, Carson, Allardice (MacGregor 81′), Welsh, Henderson (Daniel Mackay 68′), Shaw (Doran 81′), Mckay (Samuels 75′)
Subs: Doran, MacGregor, Hyde, Daniel Mackay, Cameron Mackay, Delaney, Samuels, Woods, Boyd
Celticfc.com
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2023/june/03/a-message-from-the-manager/
First Team
By Ange Postecoglou
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Congratulations on winning the Treble! This is your success as much as it is the players and coaching staff, and every single member of the Celtic Family deserves to celebrate this incredible moment for the club.
We know that the history of Celtic is littered with success, and this season’s Treble now takes its place alongside everything that has come before us.
It is also a significant moment for the club, given that it sets a new world record of winning eight domestic Trebles.
The aim of every Celtic team at the start of a season is to do as well as they possibly can in every competition they take part in, and that was the same for us when the campaign kicked off back in July last year.
We achieved our first objective in winning the League Cup, retaining the trophy we won last season, with an impressive derby victory at Hampden which was a great occasion for everyone to celebrate.
We followed that up by winning the Premiership title for the second season in a row, confirming our status as the best team in Scotland and that, in turn, has once again delivered UEFA Champions League football to the club.
The level of consistency the squad showed through the season, winning 32 of the 38 games, drawing three and losing just three, is great credit to the players. We also scored 114 league goals and conceded just 34 which, again, is a testament to our style of football which has entertained our supporters throughout the season.
Having won both of those competitions, we could then focus on the Scottish Cup final and the opportunity to win that trophy and so secure the Treble.
I know that the Scottish Cup final is always a special occasion for supporters and one that everyone looks forward to, and so to win this famous old trophy in the sun at Hampden is an occasion to celebrate.
This Treble now sits alongside the seven previous Trebles that the club has won under Jock Stein, Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon, and it’s an achievement that everyone at the club is rightly very proud of.
It was also special to be able to celebrate today’s success alongside so many of our supporters in Hampden, and given that every single fan plays their part in what we do through the incredible backing they give the team week in, week out, it’s something that we can all share and enjoy together.
Thank you Again!
Ange Postecoglou
Celtic players lift lid on Ange Postecoglou post-match address as Hampden hero says: ‘Maybe the Gods support me’
Pride comes before a call, with Ange Postecoglou all lined up to have a chat about his future in the coming days. But defender Carl Starfelt said there was no hint of a farewell when he addressed the players after they wrapped up a world-record eighth treble.
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-players-lift-lid-on-ange-postecoglou-post-match-address-as-hampden-hero-says-maybe-the-gods-support-me-4168704
By Moira Gordon
Published 3rd Jun 2023, 21:39 BST
Updated 3rd Jun 2023, 21:39 BST
“He said how proud he is of everyone: the staff, the players,” Starfelt said of his post-match address. “That was the main message. If anyone knows how hard we’ve been working… it’s not only the games, it’s coming into training everyday with a big focus and desire. Everyone sees the games but that’s what’s needed if you want to win things. He is really proud that we have won.
“He is a really good manager and is really important for Celtic. Whatever happens, I have no idea. We will just wait and see, I guess. But he is really proud of this season.”
Hard to find flaws in a season that has reaped yet another clean sweep of the domestic silverware, Kyogo Furuhashi accumulated a horde of personal honours as well, including the PFA Scotland Player of the Year, the SFWA Player of the Year, the club’s Player of the year and the SPFL Premiership Player of the Year. But the Scottish Cup trophy, which had proved the most elusive of all the awards, was something worth treasuring.
Kyogo Furuhashi sent Celtic on their way to the treble with the opening goal.
Kyogo Furuhashi sent Celtic on their way to the treble with the opening goal.
“Where does this rate in my Celtic career?” said Furuhashi. “This is the max! I wanted the Treble and I am so happy that we managed to do it. I didn’t get the Scottish Cup last season and that was a big aim. I am so happy that all the hard work we put in paid off and that we could finish the season like this. This is what we have all worked so hard to achieve.”
The goal which set Celtic on the way to victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle was the Japanese striker’s 34th of the season and his fifth in the three finals he has played at Hampden.
“Maybe the Gods support me every time I play here! I am so happy,” said the 28-year-old, who shrugged off an injury picked up in last week’s victory over Aberdeen to make his mark. “My injury was fine. I had no doubts. No problem. I was happy to play when I spoke to the manager. All the staff supported me and I had it in my head that I would play. I am happy that I could do that and score. My team-mates always give me great passes and I make the runs. When we link up like that, things are quite easy for me. I was happy to score again and finish the season with another trophy. It’s been a perfect season for me.”
And, his contribution earned him a massive hug from manager Postecoglou. “To be honest, I don’t know anything about the manager. But everyone, not just me, is so happy to work under him at Celtic. How big an influence has he been on me? I don’t think I need to say too much – you can see from the performances. We have had good results, we have won trophies and we have played attractive football. But, now, I don’t want to think too much about the future. I want to rest.”
Ange Postecoglou in revealing post-match press conference take as Celtic boss fields questions on future
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou came as close to offering a valedictory address as possible without bursting the bubble of his club’s support in the wake of the 3-1 Scottish Cup triumph over Inverness Caledonian Thistle that delivered the Greek-Australian and his squad a domestic treble, snaring a world record eighth such haul for the Glasgow side.
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/ange-postecoglou-in-revealing-post-match-press-conference-take-as-celtic-boss-fields-questions-on-future-4168702
By Andrew Smith
Published 3rd Jun 2023, 21:24 BST
Updated 3rd Jun 2023, 21:24 BST
The 57-year-old gave no offer of tomorrows in the role he has held for two years – winning five of the six trophies on offer underpinned by back-to-back title success – as Tottenham Hotspur are understood to be closing in on him for their vacant manager’s role. Asked if he anticipated remaining in the Celtic post next season, he intimated that making the tough decision about his future with the London club closing in would be imminent – but that he has no intention of spoiling the moment of arguably his greatest achievement in more than a quarter-of-a-century coaching. Postecoglou becomes only the fifth Celtic manager to lead the club to a clean sweep of the domestic honours, which they have now landed five times in only seven years.
“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,” Postecoglou said, in a revealing take. “The reality of it is there’s 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.”
He offered this giveaway address subsequent to being asked what he would say to a Celtic fanbase now, in truth, more resigned than concerned over his possible cutting his ties with their club. “I would say to them what I would say to the players – let’s enjoy this,” Postecoglou continued. “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. They deserve to enjoy this moment because, irrespective of what happens in the future, why would they not want to enjoy this moment for what it is? It is something historic.”
Ange Postecoglou celebrates in front of the Celtic supporters with the Scottish Cup.
Ange Postecoglou celebrates in front of the Celtic supporters with the Scottish Cup.
Fans had piped up with the song in his honour – and as a plea for him to stay, it was suggested – shortly after the final whistle of an stuffy encounter wherein Celtic seemed less than full pelt for spells against an oburdate Championship opponents. Goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abade either side of the interval having seemed to end the Highland club’s resistance before a late Daniel Mackay headed strike meant only an added time Jota counter made entirely certain of the outcome.
“I have appreciated the support I’ve had from day one,” Postecoglou said. “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.”
Scottish Cup player ratings: One Celtic standout, their weak link, Inverness save best for last
Celtic won the Scottish Cup on Saturday evening with a 3-1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Mark Atkinson
By Mark Atkinson
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/scottish-cup-player-ratings-one-celtic-standout-their-weak-link-inverness-save-best-for-last-4168681
We give all the players involved in the showpiece match of the season a mark out of ten for their performance at Hampden.
CELTIC
Joe Hart: Reduced to sweeping duties at best for the majority of the match, he was left badly exposed by his defence for Inverness’ only real chance of the match. Will no doubt be slightly irked not to have kept a clean sheet. 6
Celtic’s Jota celebrates making it 3-1 during a Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Celtic’s Jota celebrates making it 3-1 during a Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Alistair Johnston: We did not see the usual swashbuckling dashes up the right flank from the Canadian and he failed spot that Dan Mackay had nipped into the penalty box for the Caley goal. Did not look fully fit, if truth be told. 6
Carl Starfelt: As the most experienced defender in Celtic’s team, he was tasked with leading the backline and snuffing out Billy Mckay. He largely succeeded in doing so. 7
Tomoki Iwata: Preferred to compatriot Yuki Kobayashi in Celtic’s central defence, the Japanese made a major effort in allowing Dan Mackay to blindside him and score a goal to make it a potentially nervy ending. Wasn’t tested enough by ICT. 5
Greg Taylor: Much like Johnston on the opposite flank, this was not a vintage Greg Taylor display. Probably should have closed down Wallace Duffy more for goal but was pretty solid throughout. 6
Callum McGregor: The captain was the driving force in midfield and did very well to pick out Liel Abada for the second goal. A man who just can’t get enough of lifting silverware at Celtic. 7
Reo Hatate: The midfielder has not been himself since a hamstring injury earlier this year and while he kept proceedings ticking over in the middle of the pitch, he looked a player in need of a rest. Unsurprisingly he was taken off once 2-0 up to add fresh legs to the team. 6
Matt O’Riley: The first chance of the match fell to the midfielder but he pushed his effort wide. Was far more effective when finding Kyogo Furuhashi for the opening goal with a nice low cross. Was the Celtic midfielder most likely to break the lines. Replaced later in the game by David Turnbull. 7
Jota: After being kept largely in check in the first half, the Portuguese really turned it on in the second period. Was full of running and stretched the Inverness backline. Took his goal very well at the end and was a deserved man of the match. 8
Daizen Maeda: A couple of dangerous runs, but picked up a foot knock midway through the first half which took the wind out of his sails. Failed to emerge after the break and was replaced by Liel Abada. 4
Kyogo Furuhashi: Was deemed fit enough to start but clearly was not at 100 per cent. Nevertheless, the Japanese showed the composure required to break the deadlock with an emphatic finish. Missed a good chance afterwards but his job was done. Replaced on 59 minutes by Hyeongyu Oh. 7
Substitutes: Liel Abada (7) came on at the break and was a real pest for Inverness, scoring after a well-timed run into the box. Hyeongyu Oh appeared not long after but his impact was much less significant, while David Turnbull and Sead Haksabanovic (both 3) could not make a serious impression. James Forrest (n/a) was given a stoppage-time cameo.
INVERNESS
Mark Ridgers: The big goalkeeper could do little about any of the goals goal and while he had an uncomfortable moment with the ball at his feet in the second half, he made a very smart stop from Sead Haksabanovic before being beaten by Jota right at the end. 5
Wallace Duffy: After keeping Jota pretty quiet in the first half, the next 45 minutes were a different affair. Was booked for bringing the Portuguese down and was then beaten too often. Did, however, provide a fine assist for Dan Mackay’s goal with an accurate cross. 5
Danny Devine: The experienced central defender did not have to come up against a fully fit Kyogo Furuhashi but he was still kept on his toes by the red-hot Celtic hitman. Kept the defence organised and made some big blocks, one in particular on Hyeongyu Oh that thwarted a goalbound effort. Replaced with 15 minutes remaining. 5
Robbie Deas: A former Celtic youth player, the centre-half was tested on more than one occasion and largely stood his ground. A player who Premiership clubs may have an eye on during the summer. 6
Cameron Harper: The left-back was not significantly troubled by Daizen Maeda in the first half but Liel Abada gave him a far sterner examination in the second period, with the Israeli scoring the crucial second goal. 5
Scott Allardice: The rangy midfielder showed some neat touches and made headway towards the Celtic goal a couple of times in the second half. But like most of his team-mates in midfield, spent the majority of the match trying to keep in shape and tracking Celtic’s runners. 5
David Carson: Found the going quite tough in midfield and was booked just before the break. Did start off the move for Inverness’ goal with a neat slide-rule pass that cut through the first line of Celtic’s rearguard. 5
Sean Welsh: Very combative in midfield and tried to drive his team-mates on. Was too wasteful with some of his set-piece deliveries, which was a shame given that looked the best way for Inverness to score. 5
Nathan Shaw: One of Caley’s most composed players, they did not get him on the ball enough in the final third. Became a peripheral figure after the break and was replaced by Aaron Doran towards the end of the match. 5
Jay Henderson: The St Mirren loanee was often the most advanced player in the rare moments that Inverness broke beyond their half-way line. Was always short of support and his main task was keeping tabs on overlaps from Greg Taylor. Worked tirelessly before being replaced by Dan Mackay. 5
Billy Mckay: Given the unenviable task of leading the Inverness frontline, he too often had to drop deep to get on the ball. The veteran striker, who is Caley’s best finisher, would have been hoping for one chance to land at his feet. That never happened. Made way with a quarter of the match remaining. 5
Substitutes: Dan Mackay (7) was introduced on 68 minutes and timed his run impeccably to head home Inverness’ goal. Zak Delaney and Austin Samuels (both 3) played the last 15 minutes and there were even later appearances for Roddy MacGregor and Aaron Doran (both n/a).
Ange Postecoglou takes Celtic stage but exit seems near: treble snared, the electric eel and valiant Inverness
The symbolism was hard to escape. As his Celtic players prepared for the concluding spoils of their treble – the club’s world-record eighth clean sweep – atop the platform erected on the pitch to show off the Scottish Cup, Ange Postecoglou stood, detached from all others, edging towards the left of it.
Andrew Smith
By Andrew Smith
Published 3rd Jun 2023, 23:28 BST
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/ange-postecoglou-takes-celtic-stage-but-exit-seems-near-treble-snared-the-electric-eel-and-valiant-inverness-4168710
The words ‘exit’ and ‘stage’ could only come to mind … the Hampden hoopla of 3-1 final victory over a valiant Inverness Caledonian Thistle set against the backdrop of the Greek-Australian soon to receive an offer from Tottenham Hotspur he can’t refuse.
There was little to be read into Postecoglou – a single-minded and self-contained coach of immense substance – walking slowly at a distance from his players as they circled the national stadium to accept the adulation from their faithful for a faultless domestic campaign. Or the Celtic manager slapping hand to chest towards the club’s support as he partook in such celebrations. These have become regular elements of a ritualistic mutual appreciation as the 57-year-old has taken ownership of the Scottish game across two years at the helm. Still, though, it felt like there was a sense of one more with feeling as the Celtic faithful filled the national stadium with the name-checking chant they have lustily belted out in his honour as he has become – in his words post-match – “one of their own”.
He never was that. Even as his emotional intelligence, immigrant upbringing, and adherence to swashbuckling football made him seem such a perfect fit for the Celtic post. Fiercely ambitious and with a sense that his talents have never been allowed to flourish in top level environment befitting of them, his covenant with Celtic was to restore them to pre-eminence in Scotland and the trophy-munching that had allowed them to claim four trebles in the five years before he pitched up. Then see where this would take him. That domain, for all the world, now appearing to be north London.
Celtic lift the Scottish Cup to complete their domestic treble for the season.
Celtic lift the Scottish Cup to complete their domestic treble for the season.
His seeming last act, then, as the captain of Celtic’s ship proved a relatively serene negotiating of the waters that stood between his men and the promised land of a domestic clean sweep. Even if early on, they seemed to putter more than cut a swathe, that fact attributable to Billy Dodds’ exhibiting coaching smarts in setting out his Inverness men in a holding pattern Celtic did not find it easy to play around. Perhaps with the unhelpful four week lay-off the Highland club had prior to their exertions at the national stadium, it might have been expected that they would have had all the time required to formulate a good shape. They did more than that, though. They not only retained it throughout the first half hour, but demonstrated complete focus and unrelenting application to prevent themselves becoming the pushovers so many more illustrious Scottish opponents have proved across the Postecoglou era.
This elicited surprise of both the pleasant and mystifying kind across the south side bowl. It was palpable that the chests of 5,000 Inverness fans began to swell across those early stages. And that, in the three-and-a-bit sides of the arena the 40,000-plus Celtic following started to lose a smidgen of their boisterous over the anodyne nature of what was unfolding in front of them. On an evening when they had fronted up for the decider with absolute zero sense of jeopardy over what would unfold. Understandably so when no lower tier team had felled a top flight opponent across the modern age in Scottish football’s showpiece.
Whenever Celtic have required inspiration under their current manager, they had tended to find in a human form that may be diminutive but encases a giant of a game-changer within these borders. In short, Kyogo Furuhashi.
Postecoglou stated afterwards that the wriggling, electric eel of a frontman was far from fit. For the second final of the three consecutive such occasions in Scotland he has now netted in – which must place him in the most rarefied company – the Japanese forward’s questionable fitness was no impediment to his coming alive when it counted. It took 36 minutes for Celtic to fashion their first attempt on target. A matter of two minutes later, Furuhashi had flashed the ball high into the net in the most trademark style, one, lethal touch at the front post the product of Matt ORiley forcing a right-wing cross to the front post. A 34th goal of the season, the player is the totemistic performer of the Celtic team Postecoglou built. The £4.7million signing from Vissel Kobe in June 2021 as the manager’s first act of reupholstering his team, it felt fitting for Furuhashi such a crucial say with the opener as the era surely prepares to end.
Kyogo Furuhashi broke the deadlock for Celtic after 38 minutes after Inverness put up some dogged resistance.
Kyogo Furuhashi broke the deadlock for Celtic after 38 minutes after Inverness put up some dogged resistance.
Indeed, it was notable that all but Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor in the Celtic starting line-up for the final were Postecoglou purchases. A measure over how completely he has reshaped the club … and how he has been allowed to do so by a board who have given over Celtic to be run as his fiefdom. The second goal in 64 minutes, awarded following a lengthy VAR check for offside, was Postecoglou-patented for the slick swift movement with which the Scottish champions pulled Inverness apart. A quickly taken Tomoki Iwata free-kick led to him feeding Reo Hatate, who in turn released Oh Hyeon-gyu as he was wiped out. Just staying onside down the left, he slipped the ball to McGregor to squared for Liel Abada to slam in. The final likely also to be the Israeli’s final appearance for the club.
It was to Inverness’s great credit they didn’t cave at 2-0 but instead breathed life into the contest with an 84th minute response when Daniel Mackay sweetly met a cross whipped over from Wallace Duffy to produce a fine diving header. Any thoughts of a comeback were snuffed out when Jota, in added time, restored Celtic’s two-goal advantage, controlling an Abada centre and clipping in from close range. In football, moments of joy and hope can be transient. Inverness and Celtic will testify to that.
Inverness 1 as Hoops create history, Kyogo man for big stage – 3 things we learned
Story by Alan Galindo • Yesterday 19:24
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/celtic-3-inverness-1-as-hoops-create-history-kyogo-man-for-big-stage-3-things-we-learned/ar-AA1c526x
Celtic lifted the Scottish Cup and completed a Treble success after victory over Inverness at Hampden.
The Hoops went into the clash as heavy favourites to complete a domestic clean sweep and win that trophy that escaped their clutches last season and they did just that thanks to goals from Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada and Jota in the Mount Florida sunshine. Celtic’s star man – often the difference maker on the big occasion – had a quiet opening 38 minutes before he blasted an unstoppable effort home from a Matt O’Riley cut-back to send the Scottish champions on their way.
Abada – who was introduced from the bench for Daizen Maeda – then looked to have grabbed the all-important second to kill off the hopes of the Scottish Championship side as he knocked the ball home from an excellent team move just after the hour. However, Daniel MacKay made it an interesting final six minutes with an excellent headed goal, but it proved to be a consolation in the end with Jota ending all hopes of a comeback with an added-time third to put the game out of sight.
It means a fifth trophy in six for Ange Postecoglou and a Treble in just his second season with talk over his future in overdrive ahead of this one. Here’s three things we learned from the national stadium.
READ MORE: Celtic fans unveil stunning ‘On to Victory Once More’ tifo ahead of Scottish Cup Final vs Inverness
History Bhoys
A simply incredible season for the Hoops has ended in yet another Treble.
The Celtic support have become accustomed to watching their team over the years land a domestic clean sweep and they’ve witnessed another one in the Hampden sunshine creating history in the process by making it number eight in total.
Five trophies in the last six for Ange Postecoglou as the season officially comes to an end.
It’s party time and some well deserved rest from club football for a few weeks.
For those called up on international duty – there is still some work to be done this month.
Kyo-goal
The man for the Hampden occasion.
He has had major says on the big occasion during his time at Celtic and once again he stepped up.
After hardly having a sniff for 38 minutes the striker showed his clinical touch to blast home Matt O’Riley’s low cross.
34 goals for the campaign for the fans’ favourite in what has been an incredible return.
Won all the main awards this season and you can see why.
We Never Stop
The season is officially over and for tonight at least it is party time for the Hoops.
However, you can bet the hard work is already underway for next season as they bid to do it all over again.
Michael Beale has got his Rangers rebuild moving as he looks to put a side together that can challenge the Hoops’ domestic dominance.
Ange Postecoglou’s future is rumbling on with Tottenham keen while the champions could also face interest in star men.
Champions League football also returns next season as the Hoops look to make a stamp at Europe’s top table.
But as the sunshine belts down on Glasgow, it is time for all connected with the club to enjoy this history-making success after a 3-1 win over Inverness .
Celtic win Scottish Cup to seal treble as Ange Postecoglou faces questions on future
Celtic 3-1 Inverness: It is the eighth time Celtic had completed the clean sweep of League, League Cup and Scottish Cup – a world record
Sport Staff
12 hours ago
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https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/cetlic-inverness-scottish-cup-ange-postecoglou-b2350999.html
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Celtic clinched the domestic treble with a 3-1 Scottish Cup final win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park.
The showpiece occasion was played against the backdrop of mounting speculation around Tottenham’s interest in Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, who again had Kyogo Furuhashi to thank for his contribution.
The Japan striker struck for the 34th times this season in the 38th minute of an otherwise nondescript first half to undo the good early work of Billy Dodds’ rank outsiders.
The Championship outfit, who had not played a competitive game for a month, fell further behind when Hoops’ half-time substitute Liel Abada slid in a second in the 65th minute.
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How Ange Postecoglou restored Celtic’s dominance and became Tottenham’s first choice
How Ange Postecoglou restored Celtic’s dominance and became Tottenham’s first choice
Caley substitute Dan MacKay pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining, only for Portuguese winger Jota to restore Celtic’s two-goal advantage as the game slipped into six minutes of added time.
It is the eighth time Celtic had completed the clean sweep of League, League Cup and Scottish Cup – a world record – and now eyes turn to see what the future holds for Postecoglou, who is the fifth Parkhead manager to win the treble.
Postecoglou has been heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur and wouldn’t be drawn by questions about him possibly leaving.
“I think I deserve to enjoy this moment just like everyone else. I worked really hard for this moment,” Postecoglou told the BBC.
“There will be a time to come for those kinds of questions but for now, we’ve grasped a small chunk of history for ourselves and I’m not going to pass that by by being sidetracked.”
Joe Hart said: “When you are around amazing footballers and top managers, the noise is always there – but that is all it is.
“We are privileged to be on the inside and today was the focus all week, the manager made that very clear.
“Whatever happens now will (happen) – it is the world of football, full of speculation and rumour, but the facts today were we had a treble to focus on and we did it.”
(Getty Images)
Celtic defender Greg Taylor reflected on the “historic” day for the Glasgow club following another domestic treble.
“The manager’s motto is he wants us to improve every day, not to waste a training session, never mind a game. That is the reason why we have had this success,” Taylor said.
“Some players go through their career not winning one trophy, so to win three in a season is really special.
“It says everything about the group of players, the staff and fans. It has been a collective effort.”
Celtic captain Callum McGregor paid tribute to the work of Postecoglou in turning the club’s fortunes around.
“You have got to bounce back when you suffer, you have to pick yourself up and get the lads to rally around each other, and that is what we did,” McGregor said.
“The manager came in and the group of boys that were left, we felt like we had something to prove.
“It has taken us two years to get our trophies back, and the boys have worked ever so hard. We just have to enjoy the day.”
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65730831
Celtic3Inverness Caledonian Thistle1
Furuhashi (38′ minutes), Abada (65′ minutes), Neves Filipe (90’+1 minutes)
FTHT 1-0
Mackay (84′ minutes)
O’Riley (38′ minutes), McGregor (65′ minutes), Abada (90’+1 minutes)
Assists
Duffy (84′ minutes)
Celtic 3-1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou’s side win Scottish Cup to claim treble
By Thomas DuncanBBC Scotland at Hampden
Last updated on
3 June 20233 June 2023.From the section Scottish Cup
Watch highlights as Celtic beat Inverness to win the Scottish Cup
Celtic proved too strong for second-tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle as they claimed the Scottish Cup and a fifth domestic treble in seven seasons.
Inverness were looking to cause one of the tournament’s biggest final shocks, and defended stoutly until the prolific Kyogo Furuhashi turned in his 34th goal of the season with virtually his first touch as half-time approached.
The deluge of goals that might have been expected never followed, but substitute Liel Abada finished a slick move to put Celtic firmly in control and start the treble party for the Premiership champions.
However, out of nothing, Daniel MacKay stooped to head in Wallace Duffy’s wonderful cross with six minutes left to suddenly give the final life and the small corner of Inverness fans some hope again.
But as they have all season, Celtic persisted and Abada’s dinked cross was eventually turned home in stoppage time by Jota to seal a 41st Scottish Cup and yet another domestic clean sweep.
Manager Ange Postecoglou has now won five of the six domestic trophies available since joining the club in the summer of 2021, but the question is whether the Australian will be around for more amid links to to the Tottenham job.
Regardless, he has achieved what he was brought in to do – restore Celtic as the Scottish football’s dominant force – and he has done so in emphatic fashion, also becoming the manager to take the club past their great rivals Rangers on to eight trebles won.
Reaction & as it happened
All the latest Celtic news
Postecoglou coy on future after Celtic trophy triumph
Reaction from the Scottish Football Podcast
It was far from a vintage performance from Celtic, though, at a sun-soaked and mostly green and white Hampden.
Inverness, who finished sixth in the Championship and had not played a game for nearly a month, were well drilled by manager Billy Dodds and gave precious few chances to an uncharacteristically sluggish Celtic.
But Kyogo has shown all season he only needs one sight of goal, and the Japanese striker tucked the ball into the top corner from Matt O’Riley’s cross for his fifth cup final goal in a Celtic jersey.
Kyogo gives Celtic the lead in the Scottish Cup final
Even the small blue and red band of Inverness fans might have feared the worst at that point, but their team stuck at it despite posing little threat.
Celtic looked home and hosed by the 65th minute when Abada tapped in Callum McGregor’s cross to make it 2-0, which allowed the club’s fans to party in the sunshine on Glasgow’s south side.
Abada makes it 2-0 to Celtic
But from nowhere, Duffy surged down Celtic’s right-hand side and picked out a diving MacKay and set up an exciting finish.
But Celtic celebrations were only on hold for six minutes. Jota went tearing off to celebrate with the delirious fans after taking one touch before burying Abada’s cross to seal the win.
Player of the match – Matt O’Riley
Celtic’s Matt O’Riley (L) and Inverness’ Sean Welsh during a Scottish Cup final match between Celtic and Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park
O’Riley was the player to open the door when Celtic looked out of ideas in the first half
Postecoglou completes the set – analysis
Mission accomplished for Postecoglou and Celtic, even if it was less emphatic than many expected. Their fans, who are living through an era of dominance, will not care.
Postecoglou has now won everything in Scottish football, taking Celtic from 25 points behind Rangers when he arrived to back-to-back champions and now treble winners, while bringing an effervescent style of play.
Just before Celtic lifted the trophy, fans sang in tribute to their totemic manager, in another plea to show just how much he is loved in Glasgow’s east end. The Aussie took it all in quietly, soaking in the atmosphere and applauding, before getting a massive cheers when he hoisted the trophy.
Who knows what’s going through his head. He has expertly avoided saying whether he will be at the club next season or not amid persistent links to Spurs.
Whether he goes or not, his time at Celtic will be revered.
As for Inverness, they gave it absolutely everything and unsurprisingly fell just short.
Not playing competitively for a month before the final was hardly ideal preparation, but they looked as though they had been coached brilliantly in the interim to frustrate Celtic in the first half.
They deserved their goal at the end for sheer effort and resilience, and it made for a frantic final few minutes. Dodds and his team can walk away with their heads held high.
What they said
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “I’m very proud. It’s been an extraordinary season by the boys. We caught people by surprise last year. It’s always hard defending things. The challenge was, ‘can we be better this year and we push on?’
“We’ve won the trophy that eluded us last year, so it feels great, it’s the last day of the season. It’s an occasion and it was nice to finish it off that way.”
Inverness Caley Thistle manager Billy Dodds: “I was always going to have a go but we lost goals at bad times. I’m so proud of the boys. They gave me everything.
“Talks are ongoing (on a new contract) and we hope to get things tied up, so we’ll see what happens over the next few days. I love working with these players and you can see the team spirit we have.”
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Match ends, Celtic 3, Inverness CT 1.
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 3, Inverness CT 1.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by James Forrest.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Jota.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 3, Inverness CT 1. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Liel Abada with a cross.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Callum McGregor with a through ball.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Turnbull.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match (Celtic).
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Post update
Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Sean Welsh (Inverness CT).
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Post update
Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
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Post update
Roddy MacGregor (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Inverness CT 1. Daniel Mackay (Inverness CT) header from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Wallace Duffy with a cross.
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Post update
Foul by Jota (Celtic).
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Post update
Roddy MacGregor (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
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Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Aaron Doran replaces Nathan Shaw.
…
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Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Roddy MacGregor replaces Scott Allardice.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Sead Haksabanovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Jota.
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Post update
David Turnbull (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Post update
Foul by Sean Welsh (Inverness CT).
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Post update
Foul by David Turnbull (Celtic).
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Post update
Zak Delaney (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. David Turnbull replaces Matt O’Riley.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Sead Haksabanovic replaces Reo Hatate.
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Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Zak Delaney replaces Danny Devine.
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Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Austin Samuels replaces Billy Mckay.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Liel Abada.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Carl Starfelt tries a through ball, but Oh Hyeon-Gyu is caught offside.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Oh Hyeon-Gyu (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Liel Abada with a cross.
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Booking
Wallace Duffy (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Post update
Jota (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Foul by Wallace Duffy (Inverness CT).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Scott Allardice (Inverness CT) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the right. Assisted by Billy Mckay.
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Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Daniel Mackay replaces Jay Henderson.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 2, Inverness CT 0. Liel Abada (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
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Post update
Foul by Jota (Celtic).
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Post update
Jay Henderson (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Oh Hyeon-Gyu replaces Kyogo Furuhashi.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Cameron Harper.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kyogo Furuhashi.
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Post update
Foul by Reo Hatate (Celtic).
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Post update
Scott Allardice (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Billy Mckay (Inverness CT).
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Jay Henderson (Inverness CT) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Alistair Johnston tries a through ball, but Kyogo Furuhashi is caught offside.
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Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Liel Abada replaces Daizen Maeda.
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Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 1, Inverness CT 0.
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Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 1, Inverness CT 0.
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Booking
David Carson (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
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Post update
Jota (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Sean Welsh (Inverness CT).
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Post update
Attempt missed. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Tomoki Iwata.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Devine.
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Post update
Offside, Inverness CT. Danny Devine tries a through ball, but Billy Mckay is caught offside.
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Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Inverness CT 0. Kyogo Furuhashi (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Matt O’Riley.
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Post update
Attempt saved. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alistair Johnston.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
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Post update
Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
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Post update
Sean Welsh (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Scott Allardice.
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Post update
Attempt missed. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
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Post update
Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
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Post update
Billy Mckay (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Post update
Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Post update
Foul by Wallace Duffy (Inverness CT).
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Post update
Offside, Celtic. Daizen Maeda tries a through ball, but Greg Taylor is caught offside.
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Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Devine.
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Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Post update
Foul by Billy Mckay (Inverness CT).
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Post update
Foul by Alistair Johnston (Celtic).
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Post update
Billy Mckay (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Kick Off
First Half begins.
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Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Ange Postecoglou coy on Celtic future after Scottish Cup triumph and domestic treble
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65799951
3 June 20233 June 2023.From the section Celtic
‘I’m choosing to be selfish’ – Postecoglou
The Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says he wants to enjoy his side’s Scottish Cup and domestic treble triumph rather than be “side-tracked” by talking about his future.
Postecoglou has been linked with the vacant job at Tottenham and has refused to say whether he will be at Celtic next season.
The 57-year-old was asked again after the 3-1 win over Inverness.
“I’m going to be a little bit selfish,” he said.
“People around me have all worked hard to enjoy this moment, so that’s what I’m going to do. I will enjoy it for as long as I can before people drag me away to talk about other things.”
Celtic beat Inverness to claim cup and treble
Reaction & as it happened
Reaction from the Scottish Football Podcast
Asked why he will not dampen reports of a possible departure, the Celtic boss said: “Because I think I deserve to enjoy this moment just like everyone else. I worked really hard for this moment.
“I owe it to my friends and to my family. I get why you have to ask the question, but from my perspective, I deserve to enjoy this moment.
“There will be a time to come for those kinds of questions but for now, we’ve grasped a small chunk of history for ourselves and I’m not going to pass that by by being side tracked.”
Postecoglou has now won five trophies from a possible six since arriving in Scotland in the summer of 2021, re-establishing Celtic as the dominant force in the country.
The Australian told BBC Scotland he is proud of his players after an “extraordinary season” and labelled their campaign “relentless”.
Celtic fans sang Postecoglou’s name at full-time and gave a huge roar when he lifted the Scottish Cup trophy, and goalkeeper Joe Hart believes it was a signal from supporters to the manager.
“There’s a pretty clear message, isn’t there?” Hart said.
“Look, when you’re around amazing footballers and top managers, the noise is always there. That’s all it is, noise. Today was the focus, all week.
“Whatever happens now, will happen. It’s the world of football. It’s an interesting place, full of speculation and rumour.”
Watch highlights as Celtic beat Inverness to win the Scottish Cup
‘I can’t ask for better’
Inverness, who finished sixth in the Championship this season, pushed Celtic harder than many expected.
They defended well in the first half before Kyogo Furuhashi’s opener, and then made things interesting through Daniel MacKay’s late goal.
“Like any losing manager I’m disappointed for the boys,” said Caley Thistle boss Billy Dodds.
“We lost goals at bad times. Overall I’m so proud of the boys I thought they gave me everything.
“I thought we had Celtic thinking at times in the game. I can’t ask for a better performance.”
Dodds is out of contract and when asked about his own future he replied: “I’m hoping to get things tied up so we’ll see what happens in the next few days.”
Celtic 3-1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou angst sets in for jubilant supporters after treble win
By Tom EnglishBBC Scotland
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65800766
1 hour ago1 hour ago.From the section Scottish Cup
Watch highlights as Celtic beat Inverness to win the Scottish Cup
At the end, the Celtic players were serenaded around Hampden, silverware in their hands, golden ticker tape spread across the pitch, deafening noise filling the air marking another treble, another day of history for the Hoops.
At various times on the victory lap, Ange Postecoglou stopped and drank it all in, the songs and the adulation. And adulation is the word. He beat his heart in reply, smiled and clapped. All the while, we tried to interpret his actions.
This was a day when you watched the action but also watched Postecoglou watching the action, his every gesture happening under a giant footballing microscope. On Scottish Cup final day, Hampden transformed itself into the world’s largest laboratory as the beady eyes of 46,000 Celtic fans studied his body language with a forensic intensity.
What did that wave mean? Was that a goodbye? Why did he say he just wanted to enjoy the moment when asked directly about interest from Tottenham Hotspur? “The time will come for those questions,” he said, which suggested that this was probably the end.
For days now the chat has been that, as soon as the cup final was over, discussions would begin with Spurs. The clock is now ticking.
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There was joy at the confirmation of the treble, Postecoglou’s first and Celtic’s fifth in seven seasons. An eighth in total. Records were broken at Hampden. The old place shook. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t a great final. There was a historical dimension to it that made the fans celebrate like they’d seen the most beautiful game of their Celtic lives. Some would argue that that’s exactly what they’d seen.
It was apt that Kyogo Furuhashi set them on their way. He was quieter than a church mouse for close to 40 minutes. No shots, no possession, no threat. If Inverness Caledonian Thistle thought they could afford to tune out in his airspace then they learned a lesson that many have learned before them.
One distracted moment at the back and Kyogo scored. It was his first touch. Liel Abada made it two. Jota made it 3-1 after a dogged Inverness Caledonian Thistle came back at them. All signed by Postecoglou. All weighing-in on the biggest stage. The three attackers of the apocalypse.
Underlying the joy, for sure, was the growing dread among Celtic people that the Postecoglou era may now be over. Everybody watched for clues, but there weren’t many out there. Postecoglou behaved like he behaved when he won the Premiership last year and this year and when he won the League Cup last year and this year.
He stood in the margins and allowed his players their moment. At the trophy lift, he hung about away to the left side of the podium. When his own time came to lift the cup, a huge roar went up. Was that the last lift?
Five trophies from six attempts is a stellar record, but you got the sense that the Australian was really only getting going, that there would have been more to come, that Europe and Celtic’s possible progression would have been fun to watch.
That’s what happens when you find a gem. He becomes the target of a heist. We’re talking about Postecoglou and Celtic in the past tense here – how the fans will hope and pray that he looks under the bonnet at Spurs and doesn’t like what he sees if that call comes – but there does look an inevitability about this.
‘Postecoglou deserves crack at biggest stage’
There’s a reason why Postecoglou hasn’t said that Tottenham don’t interest him, that the project in London – and it is a hell of a project – has no appeal, that the thought of managing one of England’s biggest clubs in the world’s most high-profile league is not one that excites him.
There were no clues from the Celtic players, no sign of anything from Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond watching on. Desmond, the majority shareholder, has fabulous wealth. If he wanted to, he could match whatever salary Spurs might be about to wave under Postecoglou’s nose – Antonio Conte was rumoured to be on £15m a year – but he can’t offer toe-to-toe managerial battles with Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp and Mikael Arteta and Erik ten Hag and all the other heavy-hitters in England.
It’s the biggest stage. As much as it will pain Celtic fans. Postecoglou deserves a crack at it.
The parallels with Spurs now and Celtic before his arrival are obvious. A broken dressing room, a disaffected support, a board of directors under siege, a shambolic recruitment operation. When Spurs conceded five goals in 21 minutes against Newcastle United in April – they lost 6-1 – the words from reporters on the Tottenham beat were remarkably similar to the language used in the dog days of the 10-in-a-row-that-never-was.
No spirit. No confidence. No unity. No organisation. No character. No passion. No accountability. No strategy. Ham-fisted recruitment. A club with no direction. Chairman Daniel Levy went for the quick fix solution of Conte, just as he’d gone for the quick fix solution of Jose Mourinho and neither worked. For reasons only known to himself, he also went for Nuno Espirito Santo.
The manager who brought him significant progress was Mauricio Pochettino, who was a builder, a guy who took his time to get the culture right. Creating the right environment was critical to him. Instilling an identity was key. Chemistry was important to him.
Postecoglou is in the Pochettino mould. Spurs fans know little about him and many have already written him off. He’s used to doubters, though. He had them at Celtic, too. Everywhere he has ever been, he’s won them all over in the end.
In the summer of 2021, he arrived at Celtic as an unknown quantity. If this is the moment that he departs, he’ll be leaving as a hero the fans will never forget.