Charlie Mulgrew believes Celtic will come into the new season with added motivation after falling short of another domestic treble last time out. The former Hoops defender reckons the bitter ending to the last campaign will drive the players on as they prepare to kick off the 2025/26 Premiership season.
Celtic begin their title defence at home to St Mirren on 3 August before heading to Pittodrie for a quick rematch with Aberdeen, the side that edged them on penalties in the Scottish Cup final. That defeat at Hampden denied Brendan Rodgers’ men a clean sweep of domestic silverware, having already lifted the league and League Cup.
The loss still stings, according to Mulgrew, who says the players will be determined to bounce back. While he praised the club’s efforts in Europe, he underlined the high standards expected at Celtic, where trebles are no longer seen as rare.
Celtic have completed the treble eight times in their history, with the most recent coming under Ange Postecoglou in the 2022/23 season. Mulgrew, who won seven trophies with the club, says that record will only fuel their hunger going into the new campaign.
He said: (BBC Sport), “I think the cup final will leave a bitter taste and they’ll be thinking ‘we need to get back at it’.”
“When you look back it’s hard to criticise last season, with how well they did in the Champions League, but trebles have become such a regular thing.”
With Brendan Rodgers still in charge and the players keen to make up for last season’s disappointment, Celtic’s first game at home gives them a good chance to start strong. St Mirren will be the first test, but the real talking point will be the trip to Aberdeen the following week.
It was Aberdeen who beat Celtic on penalties in the Scottish Cup final in May. That loss still stings, and fans will be watching closely to see how Celtic respond when they face the Dons again so soon.
Celtic still have the majority of their key players from last season and will be determined to hit the ground running. Missing out on the treble might be the spark they need to come out flying.
Mulgrew’s comments reflect what many supporters are thinking, frustration over the cup final defeat, but belief that the team is strong enough to go again.
