ANGE Postecoglou has stressed to the members of his Celtic side the importance of maintaining their discipline when they face Rangers in the Viaplay Cup final at Hampden tomorrow.
Postecoglou believes that avoiding red cards in big matches has been integral to the success the Parkhead club have enjoyed since he was appointed manager back in 2021.
None of his players has been ordered off in the seven games against the Ibrox club which he has taken charge of to date - and he wants them to maintain that run this weekend.
The Greek-Australian, whose team is nine points clear at the top of the cinch Premiership and bidding to complete a fifth domestic treble in seven years, believes Celtic can retain the League Cup without resorting to underhand tactics and risking punishment from referee Nick Walsh.
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“All the teams I’ve coached, I want them to be super competitive,” said Postecoglou. “But I don’t believe super competitive means that you should be ill-disciplined in that.
“All the teams I’ve coached, I’ve tried to instil in them a real strong will and desire to be the best within the confines of the laws of the game. I just don’t see any reason to go outside of that.
“That’s not always going to be the case. Sometimes players will get yellow or red cards inadvertently for trying to do the right thing.
“But stuff like off the ball stuff and that, I’ve just never been a fan of. I’ve never seen it as part of trying to be successful. It’s certainly not something I try to encourage.
“Most of my teams, we’ve always had a good disciplinary record because of that. It’s not stuff that I buy into. I think if you want to show you’re courageous or strong then go and win the ball. That’ll do me.”
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