I don’t know how many semi-finals you’ve played in- Ange cuts BBC Scotland reporter down to size

Ange Postecoglou was quick to shoot down Kenny Macintyre in his post-match BBC Scotland interview. 

While most media outlets have to settle for the general ‘all-in’ conferences or try their luck with players in the Mixed Zone BBC Scotland’s contract gives them exclusive access to managers before and after Scottish Cup ties. 

A long running dispute with the Ibrox club ruled out speaking to Giovanni van Bronckhorst but even in defeat Postecoglou put himself up for questioning. 

It was tough for the manager to watch his side lose their first domestic match since September but he wasn’t going to take on board criticism of his players from someone at BBC Scotland (29 minutes). 

K M: Would it be fair to say that the intensity levels weren’t quite there this afternoon? 

A P: No, I don’t think so, not at all. 

K M: No? 

A P:  I don’t know how many semi-finals you’ve played in but my experience is that they’re always tight affairs, players are afraid to make mistakes because they know what’s at stake.  

I don’t think any player today from either team came off today without giving everything they had. So no, I don’t think so. It was a typical semi-final, they took their moments and we didn’t take ours. 

Postecoglou and his players will be back at Lennoxtown this week, closing off the outside noise to prepare for Sunday’s first post-split fixture away to Ross County. 

With a six point advantage and five games to go the title is in Celtic’s hands but only if they return quickly to the form that took them into that position. 

CLICK HERE for Ange replying to ‘that was a tough watch’ question from Macintyre last month.