IBROX assistant Neil Banfield has claimed that comments from Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou made after the League Cup final have left a “little taste in the mouth“ and that the Gers are “coming“ for their old foes.
The Blues have the opportunity to reduce Celtic‘s 13-point lead in the Premiership by beating Aberdeen at Pittodrie this afternoon. However, even if that were to happen, it would be almost impossible to claw back the deficit with just five games and fifteen points left to play.
Postecoglou‘s side are hoping to complete a Treble this season, while beating Beale at his imaginary league that started when he became the Ibrox gaffer.
The Gers assistant manager has made it clear that both respect and motivation have been taken from the statements made by Postecoglou and that they are keen on making a stand at Hampden next week, admitting the Celtic manager’s comments left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“I have got to say he has been first-class. But he said one or two things that I have remembered and I will remember”, Banfield told MailPlus
“For what he has achieved at Celtic, we say well done. The use of the market has been excellent and I like the way they play. But he said one or two things that make you want to say: ‘Okay, right, we’re coming’.
“And that’s okay, that is what it’s all about. They’ll want to come at us. That’s what top-level managers are all about. That’s the world we live in.
“There’s respect there, no doubt. He is a good football guy and he works for Celtic but he has said things that leave a little taste in the mouth. I’ll keep that to myself but he made a quote after the final and it landed on me. And you think: ‘Yeah, okay I’ll take that.’
“Next time we’ll turn that round.”
Banfield also suggested that Gers boss Michael Beale has already proven he can match Celtic with his record since taking the Ibrox job, despite failing to get the better of the Aussie coach in three attempts.
“Michael has been in since Christmas and matched them toe-to-toe really.
“We were disappointed in the League Cup. Not just in the result but in the way we turned up for the game.
“We went to Parkhead and, without going too deep into it, we were really in the game. Now there is now another game coming. And we are coming.”
Next weekend‘s Scottish Cup semi–final will no doubt be an intense and fiery affair as Celtic and Rangers battle it out for a place in the final.
