What Ange told full-time Celtic players amid Tottenham uncertainty

The Celtic manager yesterday became the sixth manager in club history to record a clean-shooting victory as his all-conquering side defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup final. But the eighth triple world record result comes amid simmering speculation that Postecoglou could join Tottenham Hotspur – and he has refused to talk about his full-time future.

Starfelt, who completed a string of Scottish Major honors that day after missing out on the Scottish Cup last season, revealed the manager’s full-time message was one of pride rather than an emotional farewell.

The Sweden international admits he has no idea what will happen next for the man who brought him to Celtic from Rubin Kazan two years ago but was certain Saturday’s historic success meant everything to him.

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“He’s a really good manager and really important for Celtic,” said the centre-back. “Whatever happens, I have no idea. We’ll just wait and see. I think he’s really proud of this season.

“He said how proud he is of everyone: the staff, the players. That was the main message. If anyone knows how hard we’ve worked… it’s not just the games, we go into training every day with great focus and passion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpphG58JRS0

“Everyone watches the games but that’s what you need if you want to win. He’s really proud that we won.

“NO [it did not sound like farewell], absolutely not. But we will wait and see.”

Starfelt admitted he was unaware that Celtic’s success now means they have cleaned more goals than any other club in the domestic league. And the centre-back is happy that after a marathon season, he and his team-mates can now pause and reflect on their accomplishments.

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“It’s an incredible feeling to win the treble, to get all the domestic trophies we can win,” said the 28-year-old. “I’m so happy with what we’ve accomplished this season for all the effort we’ve put in.”

“I’m really proud of each of my teammates because we worked so hard for this.”

“I also admit that I’m running out of energy, so the pressure to win that trophy was there, but we also know how badly we want to win it. I’m a little low on energy right now, but I’m sure that in a few days it will feel even better.

“I didn’t even know it was a world record, but that’s amazing.”