Ange Postecoglou

Ange has always been quite calculated, so I'm sure he'd weigh up a number of things before even considering leaving. I just can't see a Leicester, who have sold a lot of their better players recently, or perhaps even a Tottenham, with a difficult owner and a DoF who holds a lot of power, being hugely appealing to him.

Outside of an unlikely scenario like Liverpool, I'd be more concerned about the likes of Brentford or especially Brighton, in the event that their managers are poached by bigger teams. Those are well run clubs with really good scouting networks, providing a good base for any new manager coming in.

But even then, I don't see either being preferable to at least one more crack at the Champion's League here. It's worth remembering that Ange's football journey is far different to that of Rodgers or Gerrard, both of whom you always knew had the ultimate goal of returning/getting to the Premier League fairly quickly.

I've heard Ange talk several times about how he always wanted to manage in Europe, but I can't remember ever hearing him mention the Premier League or England specifically. It's taken him 20 years to get any kind of opportunity on this side of the world, and he's landed at a club where he can win trophies and make his name in Europe. Not to mention he seems to have practically carte blanche to run the football side of things how he wants. Clubs like Leicester, Leeds, Southampton, Palace etc. are far less likely to offer any of that, plus a bad couple months could be all it takes for a Premier League owner to panic and for him to be out of a job and potentially even back to square one.

It's also interesting some of the things he's said to the media. There's very little filler in his press conferences and most of what he says he seems to say for a reason, so when he says 'I'm at a big club already' and 'I think people will be surprised by how long I'm here', I tend to believe that's him sending a message directly to the Celtic support.

 

He came to us needing a massive overhaul and worked wonders. Don’t see how that’s any different to Leicester. That being said,
I can’t see him going til He gets another crack in the champs league

 

He'd be sacked after the livi game if it was the EPL, so ruthless in that league. If your given 6 months to completely change everything your lucky. Dugshit toxic league.

 

Celtic icon’s ultimate Ange praise: He tells KEEPUP, ‘no Premier league boss’ could have done this

In one sweeping sentence, Celtic great Chris Sutton sums up the gravity of exactly what Ange Postecoglou has achieved in just over one-and-a-half years in Scotland.

“I don’t think anybody (else) could’ve done the job Ange has done at Celtic,” Sutton, who works as a pundit in Scotland and England after winning four league titles during six trophy-laden seasons at Parkhead, told KEEPUP.

“I don’t think any manager, I include anybody from down south (in the Premier League), could have come in and turned the club around like Ange Postecoglou.”

Without directly saying it, Sutton is suggesting that, for all their genius and success, not even Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola or Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp could have done what Australia’s very own managerial mastermind has since walking into Parkhead a relative unknown in 2021.

Postecoglou’s relentless Celtic machine is rolling towards a second successive Scottish Premiership crown, and a potential treble – nine points clear at the summit with a second straight Scottish League Cup in their possession as they prepare for another date with Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

But not before first taking on their great rivals in the league on Saturday AEST.

Almost two years on from his appointment, the A-Leagues legend and Australian trailblazer has completely overhauled Celtic, and galvanised one of the most passionate supporter bases in world football.

He is also changing Scottish football.

“If you look at Hibernian and Hearts this season and how they’ve played and I might be wrong with this, but they seem to be playing a more expansive brand football which I haven’t seen before,” Sutton said.

“I think there are other coaches who are looking at Ange Postecoglou thinking ‘yeah, why don’t we try to be more expansive’, inverted full-backs and take the game to the opposition. I think it can only be a good thing for Scottish football.”

Postecoglou was appointed in 2021 following his success with Yokohama F.Marinos in Japan, and at a time when there was fan unrest and a disconnect between Celtic and their supporters.

Celtic had just finished 25 points adrift of their fiercest rivals under Neil Lennon, having bowed out early in the UEFA Champions League (qualifying), League Cup (second round) and Scottish Cup (fourth round).

There was also a short turnaround between his appointment on June 10 and Celtic’s first game of the season on July 31, while navigating the departures of stars Odsonne Edouard (Crystal Palace), Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford), captain Scott Brown (Aberdeen) and Ryan Christie (Bournemouth).

“People forget the situation in which he took over and how late he came in. It made it doubly, if not, more difficult for Ange,” Sutton – a Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers and a one-time England international – recalled.

“All the talk at Celtic was, the league had been a disaster, lost the league by 25 points. The deal was done with Eddie Howe, that was all the talk. Eddie Howe was going to have it and everyone thought it was going to happen. Then it didn’t happen and you could imagine the uproar which is natural.

“Then Ange Postecoglou’s name pops up and everyone is googling Ange Postecoglou. I knew of him from the Australian national team but in truth, I hadn’t really delved into his whole history but then you start delving into it and you’re like ‘blimey, this guy is a high achiever’. Did well in Australia and then took a struggling team in Yokohama and turned them around.”

That first pre-season ended with a 6-2 “walloping” at the hands of David Moyes’ Premier League outfit West Ham on July 24.

“He must’ve been thinking, ‘Jesus Christ, what have I taken over here?’. He must’ve been. He never let on. I think he would be a good poker player,” Sutton said.

Four days later, Celtic crashed out of the UEFA Champions League in the second round of qualifying – beaten by Awer Mabil’s Midtjylland after extra time. Then on July 31, the Bhoys opened the season with a 2-1 loss away to Hearts.

Life for Postecoglou in the Scottish Premier League started with three defeats in six matches, including a Glasgow derby loss away to Rangers. But, he has not looked back nor has he swayed from his high-octane brand of attacking football since that time.

“I have to say, it’s sort of blown my mind the way he’s gone about things,” he said.

“It wasn’t one single thing he had to deal with. There were so many different things that were thrown into the mix. But what I’ve learnt, he has such belief in his methods that what he is doing is right.

“He is such a strong character and because of his belief and his coaching methods. I played under Martin O’Neill, all managers have to have that belief but to actually carry out in such a short space of time, I have to tell you it’s absolutely remarkable.

“If Ange sees it through this season, that would be incredible.”

And to put Postecoglou’s first season at the helm of Celtic into context, he delivered two trophies to the Scottish juggernaut without any of his own coaching staff.

There was speculation around his former assistants Kevin Muscat and Peter Cklamovski as he embarked on restoring Celtic to their glory days. Only this season has he added to his staff with Socceroos legend Harry Kewell.

“It just tells everybody he is self-sufficient,” Sutton said. “He believes in what he is doing is right and he would’ve built up this skillset over 25-26 years of coaching.

“That shows you a strength of character because most managers would go in and think, I need somebody in who has his back. But because he believes so passionately in what he is doing is right and will get results, I think most managers think that way that in difficult times I need someone who has my back.

“Ange Postecoglou probably doesn’t believe he is going to have these difficult times because he’s such a stickler in being self-sufficient. It tells you that he is just going to do it his way. Live by the sword, die by the sword seems his way.

“I do think that is different to most people within the game, but that tells you his inherit belief.”

And he has done it in a city completely consumed by football and home to one of the world’s biggest rivalries.

“It’s mental. The whole environment… you can’t help but get caught up in it,” Sutton said. “Everywhere you go someone is either Celtic or Rangers.

“I live in a place called Norfolk near Norwich. If Norwich lose, the supporters are unhappy. If Celtic draw, the supporters want to kill you. That’s the difference. It’s a brilliant footballing city.”

Changing people’s thinking
Sutton was sat inside the Santiago Bernabeu on November 2 last year as Celtic shipped five goals against the Champions League and LaLiga holders inside 71 minutes.

Real Madrid won 5-1.

But despite the scoreline, Postecoglou’s Celtic never stopped throwing numbers forward. It was a typical performance of a side coached by the two-time A-Leagues-winning boss.

It was the same story on matchday one when Celtic had a number of chances against Real Madrid in Glasgow, only to go down 3-0, in a pair of fixtures with a deep meaning. Postecoglou had played under Los Blancos legend Ferenc Puskas at South Melbourne.

In both fixtures, Postecoglou’s team went toe-to-toe with the world juggernaut.

Before the first game, the Aussie – who became the first Australian to coach a game in the UEFA Men’s Champions League – had told reporters: “There’s no point playing football a certain way but when you get an opportunity to measure it against the very best, you shy away from it and kind of go ‘you know what, let’s just try and limit any sort of damage.”

“This is why he has actually changed my thinking in many respects,” former Chelsea frontman Sutton said.

“If this is all part of the bigger picture and the plan and his plan which he believes in to take the club forward, I’m all for it. But next season, if Celtic qualify for the Champions League, it will be interesting if there will be any change.

“But I think we all know the answer to that (laughs). I actually really enjoy watching the team play.

“The consistency levels they have shown, the brand of football, they’re good on the eye. He ticks virtually every box. The words he uses, the catchphrase ‘we never stop’ and the world relentless comes up time and time again.

“Having played, I think what the team have done this season and last season has been pretty remarkable. Last season in terms of the quick changeround, the managerial change around, all these players coming in. He clearly earmarks these players, knows how they will fit.

“The biggest thing, he is just extremely bullish. He believes in what he believes in. He believes it’s going to work and you know what? If you look back at his 25-year coaching career, it’s hard to actually disagree with him.

“Essentially he’s been a high-class performer and hugely successful and why should he change? It’s maybe other people that need to change.”

Postecoglou’s exploits with Celtic have not gone unnoticed in the Premier League.

Linked with Leeds United, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Everton previously, the AFC Asian Cup-winning coach has also emerged as a possible candidate to replace Antonio Conte at Tottenham, though Spurs appear set to turn to former Bayern Munich tactician Julian Nagelsmann.

“He will be earmarked by other clubs down south, that’s natural but he also has this extraordinary habit of straight-batting anything back from the media. He is just swats things anyway. I don’t know if it’s an Australian thing (laughs),” added Sutton, who has family in Sydney and Melbourne.

Resonating with Celtic fans
For Postecoglou and Celtic, it is a relationship that goes beyond football.

The Greek-born Australian with an immigrant story finds himself halfway around the world again at a club famously founded by an immigrant population.

He has opened up on his immigrant story and it is a tale that has formed a deep connection with the fanbase.

Sutton said: “He is being himself and the biggest thing is the way he talks, it isn’t an act.

“It’s pretty amazing for him to come in, in a short space of time… When Martin O’Neill came to Celtic, everyone was aware who Martin O’Neill was from south of the border. He came up and he was like a *, but everyone knew Martin was.

“All of a sudden, Ange has emerged. It was quite funny when he got the job and they said well you’re second choice and I think he said, he could’ve been third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh choice, that doesn’t matter. From the early days to now, the way he gets the club, the way he manages.

“Everything he has done really has been pretty faultless at this moment.

“Our jobs in the media are to be balanced and to say things as they are, but no one is looking for things. From my position, I just sit back and just admire the job he has done under such testing circumstances.”

The Mooy effect
Postecoglou has barely put a foot wrong in the transfer market. From Kyogo Furushashi, Reo Hatate and Jota, to Matt O’Riley and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

One of his shrewdest signings has come in the form of a familiar face in 2022-23 – Aaron Mooy on a free transfer.

The Socceroo was in the wilderness and out of sight in China, where he had been contemplating retirement while dealing with the death of his brother. But after helping secure Australia’s spot at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup via the play-offs, Postecoglou turned to the former Premier League midfielder.

After a slow start at Celtic, Mooy has established himself as one of the club’s most important players in the second half of the season. He also has his own chant to the tune of ‘Daddy Cool’ as fans and even teammates sing his praises.

The ex-Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City star has scored seven goals across all competitions, and tallied nine assists in the league. It is that form that has put him ahead of O’Riley in the pecking order.

Sutton – the 1997-98 Premier League Golden Boot winner and Norwich City Hall of Famer – said: “When Celtic wanted to sign him, everybody was thinking, which Aaron Mooy are we going to get? The one who was outstanding for Huddersfield in the Premier League?

“He came over and had a slow start. Even when he went to the World Cup, and I went out to Qatar, I was thinking blimey, he’s not been playing great for Celtic this season, everything is a bit slow.

“He played in that St Mirren game (a 2-0 away loss) as the number six/pivot and (Callum) McGregor played more forward. A lot of criticism of him was that Celtic lacked that speed of passing. When McGregor is there, he gets on the half-turn and fizzes passes in and they need to be crisp. As part of Ange’s tactics, that speed and quickness.

“At the World Cup, he actually played in that same position for Australia and I have to say, I’ll hold my hand up, I’d pretty much written Australia off. He was brilliant. People talk about experience, yes that mattered but it showed what a great leader he is. I’ve not met him, very unassuming bloke. A bit of an introvert.

“I thought he was brilliant for Australia at the World Cup and then coming back to Celtic, and he has been really important and Daizen Maeda especially. They’ve given the team a lift.

“He is not overly dynamic in terms of his speed across the pitch, but he is dynamic where it matters and that’s in his mind.

“In many respects, he has surprised a lot Celtic fans in winning that battle with O’Riley. That doesn’t mean it’s the end of O’Riley, far from it.

“You always know there is a player in there because of his past. I knew there’s a player in there but at 32, there’s always that doubt. Has he lost that bit of sharpness that made him the player he was? Certainly among the Celtic fanbase and he has been a major part of the second half of the season.”

Mooy is part of a strong Australian contingent in Scotland’s top flight.

There is Mark Birighitti and Aziz Behich at Dundee United, St Mirren’s Soceroos pair Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain, Lewis Miller, James Jeggo and Martin Boyle of Hibernian, St Johnstone’s Ryan McGowan the Hearts’ Aussie quartet of Kye Rowles, Garang Kuol, Nathaniel Atkinson and Cam Devlin.

But there is one Australian that has caught the eye of Sutton.

“Who is the little midfielder? He’d annoy me if I was playing against him. I’d stand on his foot,” he laughed as he referred to Socceroos midfielder Devlin.

 

I don't think he would leave Celtic for a club not competing in the UCL. He wants to have an impact in the greatest club competition in the world.

 

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is confident his side can cope without midfielder Reo Hatate after the 25-year-old was ruled out of the upcoming derby against Rangers through injury.

The Japanese playmaker sustained a knock against Hibernian before the international break and also missed the recent 2-0 victory over Ross County.

Hatate has eight goals and nine assists across 38 appearances for the Scottish champions so far this season.

And while Postecoglou would love to have the player fit, he feels his team still has enough quality to get the job done.

He said: "It’s disappointing for Reo more than anything else because he loves playing these games and he’s had a major impact when he’s played.

"It’s disappointing for him to miss out, he tried really hard to be available but it’s not quite worked out.

"You’re always disappointed for a player when they’re not available but from a team perspective, we get Aaron back which is great.

"We’ve got good quality in that area of the park. Last week we had to play without Reo and Aaron (Mooy) and the boys handled it really well so I’m still confident the team we put out there will be able to perform at the levels we need



Postecoglou was also keen to get across that his players are well aware of what is a stake in the match

"We’re playing against the team that’s closest to us so if we win the game, it furthers that distance between us,” he continued.

"Games are running out so it could have a major impact in terms of the end of the season but ultimately nothing gets decided this weekend.

"The players understand that. They’re really good at focusing on what’s before us right now and what’s before us is we’re playing a team that’s second in the table, closest to us, and we have an opportunity to extend our lead at the top.

"Irrespective of what the outcome is, we’ve still got to front up the following week and make sure we perform well again."








Ange Postecoglou brushed off concerns from Michael Beale over "huge pressure" on the officials in tomorrow's Celtic and Rangers clash.

The match will be played in front of a home crowd only with no away allocations at either Ibrox or Celtic Park in the remaining league fixtures this season.

It means there will be 60,000 backing Celtic for Saturday's encounter - something Beale suggested could heap even more pressure on referee Kevin Clancy.

The Ibrox boss claimed there will be extra pressure on Clancy - assisted by David McGeachie and Ross Macleod - due to the overwhelming backing for one team.

John Beaton has been appointed as the fourth official for the match with Nick Walsh on VAR duties, alongside assistant Daniel McFarlane.

But Postecoglou refused to be drawn on the topic as he insisted he doesn't have a stance on the concerns, shifting focus instead to his side's performance.

Asked for his opinion on the remarks, Postecoglou chuckled: "I don't stand on that any way. I don't know, does that mean 700 supporters would?




I don't understand. Look, I don't worry about that stuff.

"What's important tomorrow is that we perform well in front of our supporters.

"It will be a great atmosphere and that's where our focus lies."

Beale had previously said: “It impacts it because it’s very hostile when you go.

"I think the referees are under a huge amount of pressure.

"Even having just a few fans is better than none, I would say.

“You’d always rather some fans, even if it was only a small amount.

“I just think it adds to the flavour of the game and, again, the pressure it puts on the referee if you have a large crowd in favour of one team.

 

Reminds me of a lee Mack sketch where he goes on about being so cockney it hurts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Everything Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou had to say ahead of his side's match against Rangers at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership.

First of all, can we just start with your team news how are Aaron Mooy and Reo Hatate?

Yeah in terms of players who are unavailable tomorrow - Reo (Hatate) James Forrest and Liel (Abada) are all unavailable. Everyone else is fit and ready to go.

What are you expecting from Rangers tomorrow? Are you expecting much of the same as what you got at Hampden in your last game?

I think we're expecting a tough game. They're a very good side and it's a big game and in all big games there is always there a bit of an edge to them. You know that both teams are going to have their moments. I don't think it's going to be any different tomorrow and we're looking forward to it. These are the games particularly at home with all our support there, it should be a cracking atmosphere and the players and everyone involved are looking forward to the contest.

This game is going to be shown around the world tomorrow. First of all, what memories do you have of watching this game as a youngster growing up in Melbourne? Or did you watch it growing up in Melbourne?

Yeah, of course, I watched it when it was on. It is one of those fixtures that, as you said, globally attracts attention. It's historical and a sort of game where in terms of derbies, in terms of the city, you know how much it means. So you know all those kinds of things. So yeah, I've always watched it. Obviously, I wasn't as invested as I am now. I watched it as a football fan and yeah, I always enjoyed it. I've always enjoyed the contest. To be fair, when I was the national team manager and Tommy (Rogic) was playing and he had a few good ones. So I did have a little bit of a vested interest.




When you became the manager, obviously that interest becomes a lot greater. Whatresponsibilities do the players and managers have in this game to ensure it's a good contest and to show Scottish football in a good light?

Look, I think all we can do is just play the game. Play it with the mentality of being really competitive and trying to perform to the best of your ability at all times and be respectful of the fact that it is a contest. So that's all you can do. I don't think it takes anything special. I don't think you have to sort of adjust your behaviour. Certainly, we don't feel like we have to do anything different tomorrow in the way we approach the game or the way we play the game. We want to put our best foot forward and play our football - that's been really good for a while now - exciting our fans and hopefully, it resonates with people who aren't as invested in the contest and are just watching the game of football. Hopefully, they enjoy it and we can sort of contribute to that.

With the way the league table is sitting at the moment the games of course running out. Just how big a step towards the title do you think three points would be tomorrow?

It will be exactly three points, mate. So, I think without being flippant about it, obviously we're playing against the team that's closest to us. If we win the game it furthers that distance and as you said, games are running out, and we understand that. It could have a major impact in terms of the end of the season. Ultimately, though, nothing gets decided at the weekend and the players understand that. They're really good at sort of focusing on what's before us right now and what's before us is that we're playing the team that's second in the table and closest to us. We have an opportunity to extend our lead at the top but irrespective of what the outcome is we've still got to front up the following week and make sure that we perform well again.

No away fans in for this game. How do you see that changing the dynamic of the game, if at all?

Look, I don't know. I mean, it's obvious we haven't had that many in sort of when we have in recent times. I'm not really sure how much of an impact that has but what I do know is that at our place, the atmosphere will be fantastic. You know the games we have had there have been really good contests in terms of the atmosphere created by our supporters, the energy created by our supporters and that has added to the spectacle, I look forward to experiencing that again tomorrow.

Obviously, you're saying the atmosphere tomorrow will be great from your own support, but Callum McGregor was saying yesterday he would actually welcome the sort of traditional 7000 or so away fans in because that gives it something different. Is that something you would welcome seeing?

Yeah, I think I've said that on numerous occasions now. That hasn't changed. Ultimately what we have to face tomorrow is 60,000 of our supporters and I'm quite happy with that as well.

Just on the situation with no away fans, Rangers boss Michael Beale said earlier this week that he feels that could put extra pressure on the referee given that there is no visiting support, where do you stand on that?

I don't stand on that in any way. I mean, I don't know. Does that mean 700 supporters would? So look, I don't worry about that stuff. As I said, what's important tomorrow is that we perform well in front of our supporters and it will be a great atmosphere and that's where our focus lies.



With Reo Hatate missing, how much of a big miss is he gonna be in that midfield given how he's performed against Rangers in these games?

Yeah, look, it's disappointing for him more than anything else because he said he loves playing in these games and he's had a major impact on them whenever he has played. So it is disappointing for him to miss out. He tried really hard to be available, but it hasn't quite worked out. You're always disappointed for the player when they're not available but from a team perspective, I mean we've got Aaron (Mooy) back which is great for us. We have got good quality in that area of the park. Last week we had to play without that Aaron and Reo and the boys handled it really well. From a team perspective, I'm still confident that the team we put out there will be able to perform at the levels we need.



Just a quick one this will be now the ninth game you have played Rangers since you came here. What are your thoughts on the current structure of playing potentially four to six times against opposition the same opposition in a season? Depending on the cup ties would you be in favour of the league reconstruction where you wouldn't play these games so often or do you think it adds something to the tie?

Look, I understand the question, but I'm just all consumed with winning the game of football tomorrow. I think that's what our supporters would demand of me, that there's a game tomorrow and it's really important to us. Yeah, I'd love to have this broader discussion at the appropriate time, but my headspace right now is on my thing and that's getting this team ready for a big game tomorrow.

You've got players like Alistair Johnson who've come in and they've slotted right into the team. When you're looking at signing players like that how much of the inclusion within the squad is placed on the transfer as much as the talent because he's someone who's come in and seems to completely understand the club and he's really got up to speed very quickly?

Yeah, look, I think it's a combination of things. It's one, as you said, it's the player themselves in terms of the kind of person he is and the personality and try and you know there's no sort of exact science for that. We try and get characters and personalities that we think will fit into the culture. Secondly, it is the group and the way they embrace new players into it. It's like anybody, you go to your first day of school and if no one sits with you at lunch, then, mate, you're not going to really be buzzing about the day ahead. To be fair no one sits with me at lunch, but I've adjusted well to that! The group's really good at making anyone new coming in feel welcome whether that's the leaders, Callum (McGregor) or the other boys making sure that they feel comfortable and just the rest of the guys doing that. I think the environment that's here helps with that quick adjustment. Ultimately it's down to the players and Alistair's come in mid-season to a team that's doing well and he knows that he's going to have to perform really well to make an impact and he wants to make an impact. He wants to take this opportunity and he's done awfully well for us, particularly at the time obviously with Tony Ralson being injured as well and he's fitted in really well as have of all the new boys such as Tomoki (Iwata) big Oh (Hyeon-gyu). I think all the boys have settled in well. So I think it's a combination of all those factors.





I thought Oh was excellent off the bench against Ross County and he really added a different dynamic to the attack. He was unlucky not to score. I even thought in the League Cup final that he was really effective in kind of driving us up the pitch in the last 15 minutes of the game and helped us see it out. Is there any chance he starts tomorrow or is it more a case of using them off the bench although he has been kind of really effective?

No, there is a chance, mate, it just depends on the way we start the game, but I think we've shown, particularly this year, that it is just as important as who starts the game is who finishes the game. As you said last week, we needed the players to come into the game to make an impact and I think they all did. We've been doing that consistently. He (Oh) has settled in really well. Again, he's really been embraced by the group and he's working hard at training, he's looking stronger and stronger each week and he's really determined that whether he starts or he comes on, he's gonna make an impact in the game of football. We see it in training every day. He's been a fantastic addition to us and we know that he'll make an impact, whether that's tomorrow or in the rest of the season and beyond, he'll be a very good player for us.

It is disappointing for Reo to miss out but I guess it presents a huge opportunity for someone else within the squad to play in such a huge game. I thought Iwata was really good in the cup final against Rangers when he came on and it was quite tidy against Ross. Is this potentially a big moment for his Celtic career?

I thought Tomoki handled it well last week. He's a player who is probably a bit more experienced than the other lads. I know him well, so I'm pretty comfortable with his progress. I know what he can deliver for us. We've got Aaron back, We've got Tomoki available, and there's Matty (O'Riley), David Turnbull and Callum McGregor. We're really strong in that midfield area and that gives us some real options in there. We're going to need them tomorrow whether they start or they come off the bench and come into the game later, it's going to need every one of us, every one of the boys to get the job done. They're all ready to go. They've had a good week of training and I've got a group of players who are ready to perform tomorrow.

 

https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/april/club-appoints-chief-football-officer/


He will be pretty aware of Ange

 

So

 

They've been linked with Ange

 

Paper talk

 

He just keeps winning

 

Why waste a game of football? We've still got seven to go. I'm not going to let anyone dismiss any of these games.

"If you can make one person's life better, you don't understand how enriching and rewarding that is. They've made thousands of lives better for the next few days at least. They need to enjoy that and appreciate that, because they've done something special."

 

Every word Ange Postecoglou had to say to Celtic TV in the aftermath of the 3-2 win over Rangers at Parkhead...

It was an intense affair. Your thoughts on the performance and the result?

Yeah, look, it was definitely that. It was a derby. It was obviously a game of great significance for a number of reasons. Again, credit to the players as they found a way to get the result we needed. The game had a bit of everything as we had our moments and they were really sort of threatening from set pieces and causing some problems but as I said with this group of players as they always seem to find a way.

I have to speak about that character. Losing a goal right on half-time like that does it take the air out of everyone's lungs and how pleased were you with the response in the second period?

Yeah, I thought weren't our sort of best in the first half but I still thought we were controlling the game quite well. We had some good chances and the goalkeeper made a couple of saves and didn't really threaten us. It's a great free kick. He's executed it perfectly. It does take the wind out of your sails a little bit. We kind of spoke about it at halftime, just making sure that we stayed really positive in our play both with and without the ball and not to second guess ourselves just because it's a big game. There were moments when we took real control over it and we just needed to finish it off. They were always a threat at set pieces and that made the game sort of nervy for different parts but again they found a way.




Over the decades, there have been players who step up on these occasions and it cements them as legends at the club. Now Kyogo may be here for some time yet but he is starting to show those sorts of credentials now in these matches isn't he?

Look I get why people sort of talk about him but from the moment that guy arrived he's just been outstanding. I don't remember a flat period. I don't remember him when he's not scoring he's contributing in the big games. He is scoring goals. He's always available. You saw how hard he was working without the ball today. He's a fantastic player and an outstanding person. I've got no doubt that he'll go down as a very good football player for this football club maybe even more.

At the other end of the pitch, because it was a fiercely contested one of the players Alistair Johnston has stood out head and shoulders above most on the pitch today - did he not?

Yeah, I think he loves the battle. It's fair to say that he enjoys that side of the game. Today's game is kind of tailor-made for him and he still showed composure at times when he needed to. There's no doubt he's got that real competitive edge to him that every team needs. With players like that and particularly in games like this it's a credit to him. He's been with us maybe four months and he's already played in these games three times. So he's one who I think will have a very good career for this football club.

I'm sure you'll want the fans to enjoy themselves this evening - as they should - but the message for the players is there's still a bit to go this season?

I think the players deserve to enjoy themselves as well. They've overcome pretty formidable opponents today and they continued this great run that they are on. Every bit of it has been hard-earned. They know it's not over and they know there are still games but they want to keep pushing on and keep trying to be the best team we possibly can be. They'll enjoy tonight and they know there's no greater reward than what they've done today. If you can, if you make one person's life a little bit better, you're going pretty well. They've made hundreds of thousands, potentially millions of lives better today and for the next few days. I think they should enjoy that.

 

He is up there with MON for me in my lifetime.

I cannot lavish any more praise than that.

 

Subs at 3-2 were a bit mental I thought.