Ange Postecoglou hopes the repaired Hampden pitch can help to produce the global spectacle of a Viaplay Cup Final classic.
The Celtic manager noted the improvements in the surface as he attended the National Stadium ahead of Sunday’s showpiece encounter between his Celtic trophy holders and Rangers. Hampden’s ravaged pitch was hammered in the wake of the semi-finals after it cut-up badly in horrendous weather conditions.
Postecoglou and counterpart Michael Beale both slated the park as their teams defeated Kilmarnock and Aberdeen respectively to make it through to the Final. The SFA and SPFL released a joint statement in the aftermath stating that enhanced pitch maintenance provision was being investigated as a priority. And Postecoglou, who was speaking at the National Stadium ahead of the final, said: “It’s definitely in better condition than it was on semi-final day and, hopefully with the weather holding out over the next few days, it should still be in much better condition.
“It’s a game everyone will be watching, not just within Scotland, but all over the globe. The pitch is part of the event and you want to present it well. So it looks okay.
“I think, when you have been on a run like we have and with the consistency we have, you have to overcome different challenges and the lads have been really good at overcoming whatever is before us. The whole pitch thing is not just a challenge, this is an event to showcase our football.
“You’ve got two good footballing teams and the pitch and the stadium are part of that event and you want them to be presented well. Hopefully it looks good.”
Both teams go into the showpiece in terrific form having recorded 100 per cent records in their nine games since the pair drew in the Premiership at Ibrox in January. Asked if Sunday could be a potential classic, Postecoglou said: “I hope so. Obviously I want to win, but you want to win a game that people talk about. So, hopefully, it is.”
Postecoglou has been delighted with his team’s recent performances and, with Aaron Mooy and David Turnbull back training, could have full options at his disposal. He said: “It’s all good. We’ve no issues from the weekend. Turnbull and Mooy will train through the week so as we sit right here right now they should be available.”
Postecoglou is spoilt for choice, but added: “I know what you mean in terms of headaches, but headaches for me would be if I’d half a dozen out injured. That would keep me up at night.
“To be honest, I could go with three or four different formations and still be successful and look like a genius, but the reality of it is we’ve got a really strong group of players and whichever way I go I’m pretty confident in the fact that the boys who are out there will rise to the challenge. What we have seen, particularly since the start of the year, is that irrespective of who starts, we’ll finish strong because the guys coming are making a big contribution.”
Postecoglou, meanwhile, doesn’t feel the outcome of Sunday’s encounter will have any notable effect on the season afterwards. He said: “It depends how you want to embrace it. Irrespective, I know that come Monday, we’ll have dealt with whatever we need to deal with, in a positive sense or a negative sense, and focus on the next one.
‘That’s been really important to us as a group. When we lost the semi-final last year, it didn’t derail our determination to be champions. We still had some work to do at that point. At the same time, we understand that domestically there are three trophies on offer and if you can get to a final that gives you a chance to win one and we want to in it because there are not guarantees you’ll be in it next year.
“So our focus is on preparing and being ready for it and trying to be really strong on the day. If we get the job done, then great. But come Monday, our focus will then turn onto the next game.”
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