Celtic’s Efe Ambrose targets treble next season

NO MATTER how well Celtic have played at times this season, no matter the 30-point chasm which separates them from the chasing pack, the fact remains that they will end the campaign with one trophy compared to the two they claimed last year. That is hardly proof that Neil Lennon’s side are in decline, but it is enough to provoke them into trying to do better next year, according to Efe Ambrose.

Efe Ambrose . Picture: PA

“Last season we won the double, and this year we’ve got just one,” the centre-half said. “So I think the treble is what is left for us to achieve, and that’s the motivation for next season.

“The treble, and to do better in the Champions League than what we did last year and this season. And I think we have the calibre of player to do that, so this is our target.”

While champions customarily feign humility and claim that they expect a tougher challenge from their rivals next season, Ambrose admitted that he could not foresee anyone improving enough to come close to Celtic next season. Indeed, he is sure that his own team will continue to get better provided the bulk of the squad stays together.

“I don’t think so,” the Nigerian replied when asked if he expected Aberdeen to push for the title next season. “Unless we don’t get it right. But if we get it right I don’t think anyone can stop us. If we get things right I don’t think anyone can get close to Celtic.

“Last year it was Motherwell, this year it is Aberdeen. We never know how it’s going to be, but I think the league is getting better and teams are trying to compete with Celtic.

“So the more they try to compete, the more we will try to step up. The more they give us a challenge, the more we will become a better team, better players as well, because we know there will be a challenge in the league.

“The more you want to achieve and to keep winning you have to do the right things and you have to have the winning mentality. You have to have the right players and the manager and everyone needs to be together.”

BT Sport Q&A: Rangers | Hibs | Neil Lennon

THIS week’s BT Sport video Q&A looks at whether Rangers fans will buy season tickets and if the club’s supporters will force a change of ownership.

The form of Hibs under Terry Butcher is also examined following the Easter Road side’s derby defeat while the future of Neil Lennon is also considered following the announcement that his assistant Johan Mjallby is to depart at the end of the season.

• Email your Scottish football question for the BT Sport panel to answer. The next show will be recorded on May 7 after St Johnstone v Celtic, which will also be shown live on BT Sport, with the video available on The Scotsman website the following day. You can also tweet us @TheScotsman.

A line-up of experts will handle your questions after each BT Sport game. Most match days, the team includes Darrell Currie, Derek Rae and Gary McAllister.

Over this season, BT Sport will air 30 SPFL matches plus 10 Rangers games from the SPFL League One.

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