After the game last night, I listened to the manager, and then I listened to the players. By far, the most interesting thing came from Austin Trusty. Let’s not forget, he’s a new signing, new to this club, and doesn’t yet have the experience of being a winner. But we have so many winners in that dressing room that he’s already caught the vibe of the whole club. He was amazed—pleasantly amazed—at the attitude of our players after the game.
When I think about teams that continually win, one comes to mind—not a modern one, but a historic one. The team Brian Clough built at Nottingham Forest.
There’s a story Clough used to tell about heading to Wembley, knowing his side would win because he and Peter Taylor could walk up the aisle, count the winners in the squad, the leaders, and the inspirational figures. These were players who would never let their teammates fall below the standards of the rest. That comes from two things: smart squad building and surrounding new players with those who’ve been through the battles and won things.
You can’t underestimate that first part. If your players don’t have a winning mentality—if they lack the attitude, the aggression, the will to put themselves in harm’s way for victory—then no amount of talent will make them winners. If their hunger is gone, if it’s all about the money, those players will never be leaders. Even when they’re in winning teams, they’ll just be squad players. They won’t be the ones you can rely on when the battle is at its fiercest.
How many of those do we have in this Celtic team?
A few. And you can spot them straight away. We have the keeper. We have big Carter-Vickers. Alistair Johnston. Callum McGregor. I think others in the side also have the mentality of winners and big-game players in spades. Nicolas Kühn has it—you can see that he has it. Maeda has it; he’s played at World Cups, scored for his country multiple times, and he delivers for Celtic in matches that matter. Adam Idah has it too. He doesn’t get enough credit, but he’s scored massive goals in massive games under enormous pressure.
That’s why I’m 100% certain he’ll be a huge success here.
Who else gets it and is willing to fight for the jersey?
Greg Taylor certainly does. Hatate has become more aggressive, more determined, and more driven. Engels will get there—you can tell he will. You know that Kyogo plays through injuries because he doesn’t want to let the team down. He definitely gets it and has proven himself to be a big-game player. At Hampden, he’ll prove again just how lethal he is.
Trusty and Engels are new here; they’re still adapting.
For these guys, Hampden might be the first thing they’ve ever won. But once they’re winners and part of this team, they’ll only get better and better. That’s why I found the big American’s comments so interesting last night. He said he walked into a dressing room where the players were actually angry with themselves. Angry they hadn’t done more. Angry they hadn’t pushed harder. Angry they hadn’t taken three points instead of just one.
That’s the kind of thing you love to hear. It might have surprised him, but it doesn’t surprise me. We’ve seen this time and time again from this team. They don’t quit. They don’t give up. When things get tough, they dig in, find an extra edge, and push harder than ever. That’s why Adam Idah made his name last season with all those late, crucial goals—because this whole team never gives up. This is a winning mentality, and they show it again and again.
I’m glad the players were pissed off. I’m glad they expected more from themselves. It shows they won’t settle for just a point from games like this. They demand more from themselves and each other. That’s what you want to see right across the club—a determination to meet and beat the highest standards.
I have to admit, I was a little frustrated coming out of the game. But when I heard those comments, it settled me down. It’s exactly what I wanted to hear—that the players feel the same frustration we do. That they’re hurting just like us. That they’re a little bit angry with themselves and each other. Because that’s what makes good teams great. That’s what pushes good players to become great players—desire, will, hunger.
And it’s a credit to our long-term players, to the coaching staff, and to those responsible for recruitment. We target a certain personality type—the kind of player who wants to win, who believes he can be among the best. That’s why I’m so confident about this season and this side. You can look up and down the squad and count the winners and the leaders. Every single one of them is a fighter. There are no passengers here. No players who hide.
Have you forgotten your namesake, James?
He has it in spades too.
The one player that has shown real determination and a constant desire to fight for the cause is Liam Scales. He may no longer be a first pick but he proved himself beyond all doubt. Of course, had it been the likes of him who passed the ball into his own net there would have been a totally different response.
It’s good to hear the players were disappointed, but I prefer they show that on the pitch rather than in the dressing room afterwards.