01.06.2023 16:18 h

Postecoglou says Spurs talk 'doesn't register'

Ange Postecoglou said his focus remained firmly on guiding Glasgow giants Celtic to a Scottish treble despite speculation linking him with the managerial vacancy at Tottenham Hotspur.

Victory over Championship side Inverness in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on Saturday would mean Glasgow giants Celtic had completed a clean sweep of major domestic silverware this season.

It would also give the Hoops five out of six Scottish trophies available since former Australia boss Postecoglou, 57, joined from Japanese side Yokohama F Marinos in June 2021.

But the build-up to the game has been dominated by talk that Postecoglou could become the latest manager given the chance to revive the ailing fortunes of Spurs.

Postecoglou, however, said Thursday: "Somebody else was favourite last week, wasn't he? So, it doesn't register.

"I get all the interest and why people love to speculate on these things. But we have worked really, really hard to get ourselves into this position and, for me to let my mind wander about anything else than getting our team prepared for a big day on Saturday, is just not who I am."

Postecoglou has also been linked with numerous Premier League clubs this season including Leeds, Everton, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

"You are making it sound as if it's the first time this has happened to me," he told reporters. "We have done this dance a few times this year.

"The players have been really good at focusing on what's important. What's important is being ready for a big game on Saturday.

"I have handled it before and I'll handle it the same way. It doesn't enter my sphere of thinking because my role is to make sure the team is absolutely prepared for what the next challenge is.

"If a cup final isn't enough to draw all my attention to that, then nothing will be."